North Village were dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten yesterday as they found Dandy Town in championship form at Bernard Park, with a first half strike from defender Troy (Tortoise) Durham proving decisive.

For Town it was an important victory, coming against a side viewed by many as the chief challengers to their Coca Cola First Division crown.

"Every game we play, it is very crucial to get two points and even though it's early all points are valuable and if we get the chance, we need to take them,'' said a pleased Mark Trott, coach for Dandy Town.

"This game is a real confidence booster. Today we brought our game up a lot and it was more of a team effort than any one individual.'' Billed as the game of the day, the clash saw both sides come out prepared for battle, but it was Town who quickly established dominance with a multitude of forays toward the Red Devils' goal.

Leading the Hornets' charge was Darron (Duke) Simons, possessing new found confidence this season having already scored five goals.

The lean striker caused several anxious moments early on for the Village defence, first thundering a header over the bar following a left-wing corner by Kris Martin and later popping up to send a pair of shots agonisingly wide, both following creative work on the left by the ever present Martin.

Meanwhile, at the other end Village striker Dennis Robinson found life tough as a marked man following a pair of hat-tricks against Devonshire Colts and BAA.

Robinson was constantly shadowed by hard-nosed centre-back Wayne Campbell and was rarely given room to roam. A few planted elbows, shirt tugs and body blocks also helped to slow down the Village danger man to the point of frustration. He eventually incurred a booking after taking exception to the close marking and committing a foul on Campbell.

But it was Carlyle Crockwell in the Village goal who had the most extensive work-out as he was battered by Town's arsenal with shots coming from all angles.

Both Carlos Smith and Lloyd Christopher were thwarted by the 'keeper in the 21st and 25th minutes.

However, there would be no saving grace two minutes later as Durham squeezed in a simple header when Crockwell failed to collect a perfectly floated left-wing corner by Martin.

The 'keeper advanced, but could only get his fingertips to the ball, which continued onto Durham for the easiest of headers, this one from barely a yard in front of goal.

Play deteriorated somewhat following the strike, although Town still dominated until the half.

Coming out after the break, Village were the more forceful as they searched for an equaliser which ultimately proved elusive.

Clifford Roberts had a shot cleared off the line by Town's Wylie Rudo in the 57th minute and as time dwindled substitute Kevin Jennings watched his glancing header fall inches wide after a right wing corner by Elliott Jennings.

"I honestly feel the key (to victory) was that the players stuck to the game plan,'' added Trott. "They were asked to do something and they did it.

"North Village are a good team and we had to make sure we respected what they did well and then nullify it.'' The result means that Town join three others on three points just behind PHC who have four, while Village remain on two.

North Village: C.Crockwell; A.Simons, I.Romaine, D.Bell, C.Roberts, K.Simons; N.Smith, C.Sabir (Kev.Jennings 56 mins), E.Jennings; D.Robinson, S.Dill (E.Simmons 80 mins) Dandy Town: C.Davis; W.Rudo, T.Durham, W.Campbell, W.Musson; L.Christopher, L.Furbert, K.Martin; C.Smith, J.Weeks (A.Cannonier 87 mins), D.Simons Referee: Roddy Burchall Men of the Match: Carlyle Crockwell (North Village), Wayne Campbell (Dandy Town).

HOT HORNET -- Dandy Town's Kris Martin (left) leaves Nakia Smith of North Village in his wake as he heads upfield. Martin helped set up the first half goal that led to a 1-0 victory for Town.

KEEP AWAY -- North Village defender Kacy Simons shields the ball from Dandy Town striker Darron Simons. Town won 1-0. Match report -- see Page 21.