Dandy Town clinched a berth in the Dudley Eve Trophy yesterday, but it was a far from distinguished performance at their home ground against undermanned opponents St. George's.

In sloppy conditions, the home side dominated every facet of the game but found it difficult to put away a side far inferior, as the East Enders showed great heart in defence and a willingness to battle the odds.

And while two Darron Simons strikes ultimately decided the result, Town clearly must perform better if they are to enjoy greater success over the Christmas break.

St. George's were given little chance entering the contest, having not recorded a league win all year and boasting just two points from eight matches. Add to that the fact that coach Earl Basden was forced to take over the goalkeeping chores and the bench was virtually non-existent -- St.

George's dressed just 13 players -- and the outcome appeared, quite simply, Town in a rout.

However, St. George's somehow found strength in their decided underdog role, stunning the home side with a third minute score from striker Ryan Steede, which was only their third goal of the season.

Steede owed a degree of debt to Town 'keeper Cymande Davis, who was caught out by the sudden surge and allowed in a shot he would have saved on most occasions.

The early setback woke Town and they soon seized control, incessantly attacking Colts' goal but being constantly rebuffed by a defence well marshalled by the giant boot of highly vocal captain Neil Paynter, who ordered his troops around in the manner of an army sergeant.

And when Paynter was not standing in the way, Basden served as the stopper of many Town raids.

Reggie Tucker, Carlos Smith and Simons each were left to consider what might have been during a frenzied opening half hour. But the persistent pressure paid off in the 31st minute as Simons headed the equaliser, rising to meet a perfectly floated cross by midfielder Seyoum Tuzo.

Simons produced a scathing drive in the 60th minute that dipped inches over the crossbar and moments later Kervin Moreno cleared off the line a goal-bound header from Tucker.

However, a penalty awarded to Town in the 70th minute proved the ultimate undoing of St. George's. Walter Musson was brought down by Moreno while weaving between defenders and Simons was perfect with his spot kick, sending Basden to his right, while the ball went left.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; L.Christopher, W.Rudo, J.Marshall, M.Lowe (N.Smith 71 mins); R.Tucker, T.Lewis, S.Tuzo; C.Smith; W.Musson, D.Simons.

St. George's: E.Basden; K.Moreno, N.Paynter, Q.Francis, D.Bailey; D.Richardson, D.Wright, A.Darrell (F.Richardson 55 mins); S.Smith (H.Matthie 85 mins), D.Whitfield, R.Steede.

Men of the match: Dandy Town -- Seyoum Tuzo; St. George's -- Neil Paynter.

Referee: William Bradley PHC 2 St. David's 1 Thanks to a goal in the second half by midfielder Ottis Steede, PHC were able to grab maximum points from a spirited St. David's team in this First Division game at PHC on Saturday night.

But the Islanders will be kicking themselves after squandering two good chances to equalise during the last three minutes of play.

Player-coach Andrew Bascome, who did superbly to reach a cross from Ottis Minors, hurried his shot over the bar from a mere six yards out and then crafty striker Keith Jennings headed a relatively easy shot from close range right at goalkeeper Jay Smith.

Steede's winner came after 69 minutes in a fast and exciting game that saw the visitors finish strongly in each half after slow beginnings.

Striker Kenny Mills sent a shot that goalkeeper Kuhn Evans did well to block, but the rebound fell directly into the path of the eager Steede who gratefully drove it home from close range.

Thirty seconds later Steede had another chance to put the result out of reach, but he put his shot from 14 yards over the bar.

St. David's, who went into the game with momemtum following victories over Dandy Town and Southampton Rangers, matched their opponents throughout, once again proving that they are not as bad as their ninth place spot in the table indicates.

Inspired up front by Jennings, they levelled the score before the half after PHC had taken the lead with a goal from midfielder Brian Anderson after 34 minutes when he struck home a half-volley from 16 yards.

The pace was fast and furious in the opening half with Sheridan Ming, Anderson and Steede coming close to scoring for PHC in the first 15 minutes before St.

David's found their touch.

Jennings got the equaliser just after Anderson scored when he masterfully dribbled around right full back Enwar Hunt and scored from a sharp angle on the left.

The trend continued in the second half with PHC taking an early edge only to see St. David's storm back. But the big difference was that PHC scored and St.

David's blew their chances after being revived by the appearance of Bascome off the bench.

PHC: J.Smith; E.Hunt, D.Outerbridge, D.Burgess, C.Dowling; B.Anderson, O.Steede, S.Ming; W.Trott (M.Trott, 81 mins) S.Simons (M.Williams, 73 mins), K.Mills.

St. David's K.Evans; J.Thomas, J.Warren, S.Pitcher (A.Bascome, 73 mins), E.Wolffe (A.Tyrrell, 58 mins); C.Simmons, P.White, D.Hollis; O.Minors, K.Jennings, G.Foggo.

Referee: Esten Curtis Men of the match: PHC (Ottis Steede); St. David's (Keith Jennings)