It was a performance sated with championship flavour.

Devonshire Colts marched onto the lush carpet at Bernard Park with the clear goal of moving closer to confirmation as First Division champions and ending a 24-year hiatus.

What evolved was a gleaming, virtuoso display of attacking soccer by the visitors, who, despite falling behind to a brilliant first half goal by Nakia Smith, dictated every facet.

Second half scores by Vic Ball and Mark Ray assured Colts of three points, placing them in a near unassailable position on 35 points with two games remaining, five points clear of defending champions Vasco.

Yet, coach Vic Ball was taking nothing for granted even after witnessing his charges totally dismantle the Red Devils.

"It's not done 'til it's done. We still have to get that point,'' said Ball, surfing a crest after enduring the trough of an inauspicious start to the campaign. "Today it was a great team effort and we can only go from strength to strength.

"The Lord is making it possible for us to obtain some success.'' Whether it was divine intervention or of human design, Colts certainly carried an aura which blinded Village, who were forced to play second fiddle from the moment referee Stuart Crockwell's whistle sounded the kick-off.

The first pronouncement came after two minutes, Ellington Weldon and Mark Ray executing a fine wall-pass move on the right side that allowed the former a free, angled run at goal. But goalkeeper Dwayne Adams was alert to deflect Weldon's final effort.

Adams would prove a major factor in an action-filled first half, almost singlehandedly holding the orange and white clad juggernaut at bay with a myriad of saves, using all parts of his anatomy.

He expertly handled a powerful volley from Ray in the 11th minute after Ball sought the forward out with a cross and, in the 29th minute, again was alert to make a reflex, foot save from a deflected blast from Jahmah Samuels.

However, he truly showed his worth in the 41st minute when faced with a rising, point blank drive off the boot of Ray, arching backwards while flinging out his right hand to palm away the forward's goal bound shot.

Thus inspired, the home side stormed back to take the lead through Smith, who created a goal suitable for every highlight reel.

Standing near the edge of the six-yard area with his back towards goal and centre-back Makonnen Hollis in close attention, the midfielder received a deep pass from right-back Kevin Grant and in a single motion flicked the ball over the head of his marker before smashing a volley past Troy Hall into the net.

Could it be that runners-up spectre rising again to haunt Colts? Not on this day, for the second half saw Ball quickly level matters, heading home an Ellington Weldon corner in the 48th minute as Village's defence committed a cardinal sin, leaving Ball unmarked near the goalmouth.

The question of not whether but when they would take the lead was finally answered in the 72nd minute as Ray came good, finding himself in the clear to control a Weldon cross before rifling the ball past an exposed Adams from 12 yards.

It's likely Colts will officially clinch the championship on Saturday night when they face winless St. George's at home, a side they ravaged 7-0 in their previous league meeting.

No problem? It is to coach Ball, who again assumed nothing.

"St. George's are not going to permit us to beat them. We're expecting a difficult match, they have a lot of pride and we'll have to give our best on Saturday night.'' North Village: D.Adams; K.Dill, D.Bell, I.Romaine, K.Grant (R.Bean 78 mins); R.Spence, M.Hansey, K.Simons, N.Smith; S.Wilson (Q.Paynter 83 mins), E.Jennings (J.Smith 86 mins).

Devonshire Colts: T.Hall; Jermel Belboda, M.Hollis, S.Burgess, Jermaine Belboda; K.Burchall, J.Samuels, K.Smith (S.Waldron 69 mins), V.Ball (K.Lawrence 81 mins); M.Ray (J.Bean 86 mins), E.Weldon.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the Match: Dwayne Adams (North Village), Shannon Burgess (Devonshire Colts).