Substitute Ricky Hill inspired Hotels to their first win in more than a month when he laid on the first and scored the second himself as St. George's were sunk in a three-minute spell midway through the second half at Southampton Oval.

It proved a timely return for Hotels who were beginning to lose their way in the absence of Hill, out for a month with a broken thumb. However, the win failed to lift them into the top four for a Dudley Eve Trophy place as both North Village and Dandy Town finished the first half of the season ahead of them on goal difference.

With more points than goals this season St. George's threatened to end that drought with a spirited first-half display as the return of college student Clay Smith gave their attack a tremendous boost.

Troy Bassett missed some good early chances for Hotels, the first after a mere 50 seconds when he lifted a left-foot shot over the bar following a pass from former St. George's player Stevie Dickinson.

St. George's showed their determination to compete with their more experienced opponents when Smith drove his first shot wide of the near post after the Hotels defence had been penetrated on the left.

Bassett went close again in the seventh minute when he put a header wide of the far post.

The St. George's defence, boosted by the return of Philip Bailey, looked solid under pressure as Hotels continue to probe for openings.

The closest either team came to scoring in the first half was in the 25th minute when a cross from the left by Greg Foggo saw Clay Smith hit a first-time left-foot volley that skimmed the crossbar as the Hotels defence breathed a sigh of relief.

In the 36th minute, Hotels captain Eugene (Hammer) Simmons put a good chance over the bar from 10 yards after Coolridge Bell set him up. At the other end, St. George's had a dangerous corner cleared in front of goal.

After finishing on even par in the first half St. George's quickly faded after the restart as the introduction of Hill coincided with coach Gregory Foggo being ordered off the bench in the 58th minute by referee Esten Curtis for protesting an offside call.

Hotels were pulling the strings by that time as an inswinging corner by Coolridge Bell in the first minute of the second half went untouched across goal after Franklyn Greaves missed with his header at the near post.

A minute later Dickinson's volley was forced over the line by Bassett but Curtis' whistle was quickly blown for a hand-ball on the striker. St. George's mounted a dangerous raid in the 53rd minute when Clay Smith's cross from the left along with six-yard line was just missed by the sliding William Richardson.

It was to be the last chance for St. George's before Hotels finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Hill laid on the chance for Myron Piper who put the ball over the line from close range.

Three minutes later the St. George's defence was leaking again when a move down the left by Hotels' other substitute, Clifton Anderson, saw his shot blocked by 'keeper Troy Hall and Hill follow up to score the rebound.

Hotels were now firmly in control and came close to getting a third goal in the 77th minute when Hall was drawn out of his area and Hill's shot towards an empty goal was headed off the line by captain Earl Basden.

Ten minutes from the end, Foggo missed a good chance for a consolation goal when he put his free shot wide of the near post from inside the area.

Hotels: G.Edness; D.Lewis, P.Smith, F.Greaves, D.Scott; E.Simmons, M.Piper, C.Bell, C.Sabir (C.Anderson, 45 mins), S.Dickinson, T.Bassett (R.Hill, 60 mins).

St. George's: T.Hall, S.Denbrook (D.Walker, 78 mins), E.Basden, P.Bailey, D.Minors; J.Cieters, M.Outerbridge, D.Smith, W.Richardson (C.Caisey, 56 mins), C.Smith, G.Foggo.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Coolridge Bell (Hotels); Jan Cieters (St. George's).