Southampton Rangers did them a favour the night before, but title-chasing Boulevard failed to capitalise on Vasco's draw when they could only manage a point themselves last night against champions Devonshire Colts at Devonshire Rec.

The result means that Vasco remain five points clear at the top of the tables with only four games remaining.

Boulevard had the better of the first half and Colts likewise after the restart as most of the action was concentrated around the eastern goal. Kenny Hill was an early culprit for Boulevard as he wasted a couple of early chances from good positions in front of the Colts goal in the first 15 minutes.

It seemed only a matter of time before Boulevard would take a deserved lead as later in the half they kept up the pressure with Dwight Warren heading wide from a freekick and then Hill shooting straight at goalkeeper Troy Hall with another good chance.

Colts' hopes of defending the title they won last year have all but vanished -- they can only finish with 31 points which is what Vasco presently have.

Even so they played with more determination after the restart and had some good chances to snatch all three points.

Captain Shannon Burgess had a header from a Jermel Belboda corner headed off the line and Colts kept up the momemtum by bringing on Mark Ray for Keishon Smith and Keimon Lawrence for Derek Wright midway through the half. Boulevard replaced Rodney Bascome with Stevie Wade at the same time.

Boulevard were dealt a blow 10 minutes from the end when midfielder Tafari Outerbridge was ejected by referee Richard Knight for using foul language at the official as he limped off for treatment.

North Village 1 PHC 1 PHC were furious at referee Lawrence DeShields' decision not to award them a penalty midway through the second half as the relegation-threatened team had to settle for just one point from the opening clash.

Their confident call for a penalty when Kenny Mills was tackled in the box by Cal Dill Jr fell on deaf ears as Mills took a hard knock.

The draw was also a blow to Village's slim championship chances as they remain in third place. PHC stay last, four points adrift of Hotels and five behind Somerset and Devonshire Cougars.

PHC took a deserved lead in the 13th minute when Stephen Astwood kept his composure inside the box to score with a low shot into the far corner which beat 'keeper Nyon Steede.

With Frankie Ming back to lend experience in the midfield, PHC played with plenty of determination. A perfect cross into the box by Ming landed at the feet of McLee Smith but he sliced his effort wide.

A goal that must rate as one of the best of the season brught Village back level in the 23rd minute. Jamel (Mouse) Smith took an inswinging corner on the right side and when the ball was half-cleared back towards the right edge of the box he followed up with a fierce left-foot scorcher that rocketed into the far bottom corner.