Dev. Cougars 2 St. George's 0 Team-of-the-moment Devonshire Cougars kept their revival going with their second straight win yesterday -- and it was enough to lift them off the bottom of the Coca Cola First Division for the first time.

Cougars, with five points out of a maximum six in their last three games, stay clear of the cellar because of a better goal difference, having pulled Athemselves level on six points with Vasco and BAA.

The victory killed any slim hopes St. George's had of qualifying for the Dudley Eve competition for the first time as the list of contenders was reduced from seven to six teams.

With two losses the East Enders have dropped out of the top four and are now just a point off the bottom.

The first half of this match at Devonshire Rec. saw both sides enjoy brief periods of dominance as play switched from one end to the other. Cougars were the first to settle into their attacking mode and went close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute when Philip Clarke's shot was deflected around the near post for a corner as Detroy Smith in the St. George's goal breathed a sigh of relief.

Smith was replacing Troy Hall who was unavailable because of work commitments -- the first time he has missed a match since the team returned to the First Division two seasons ago. It would have been his 50th consecutive appearance in the team.

Gradually St. George's got back into the game with Clay Smith's shot from the left side of the penalty box taking a slight deflection before hitting Leon Place's crossbar and being cleared for a corner. Then, Stevie Dickinson put a glancing header over the bar from a Herbie Bascome free kick.

The best of the Cougars chances fell to Clarke who put a left foot shot over the bar and then hooked another over the top following a Dale Russell throw.

At the other end Dickinson collected a pass from Philip Bailey and evaded a couple of tackles before lifting his shot over the top on the half hour.

Towards the end of the first half the St. George's defence suddenly began to look shaky after being so calm and composed during the opening half hour. A ball into the box saw Dwayne Richardson leave it for 'keeper Smith at the last moment and Smith was forced to block it with his body inside the six yard box.

During that period Devon Brangman went close with a couple of far post shots, the first dropping inches past the opposite post and the second turned into the sidenetting by the 'keeper.

St. George's went back on the attack at the start of the second half as the match remained even. Clarke of Cougars lobbed a shot over the bar before Hill connected with a Bascome free kick but put his header straight at Place.

On the hour Hill then got on the end of a perfect cross from Clay Smith on the left but sent his left-footed shot over the bar from seven yards.

That miss proved costly as three minutes later the home team went in front.

Devon Brangman supplied the cross from the left and Clarke managed to get his shot at the far post between Smith and the near upright.

St. George's stepped up the pressure after that but their hopes of at least a share of the points were spoiled in the 77th minute when Cougars scored a second to seal the win. This time a free kick by substitute Wali Salaam from deep on the right found Clevie Campbell unmarked at the far post and he beat 'keeper Smith with a firm header.

"It was important that we beat St. George's today,'' said Cougars coach Mark (Burger) Jennings afterwards. "If you look at relegation they are one of the teams that might be in that area so you have to beat the teams around you.

"Today was a good win in terms of points. We were looking to come out with at least one. Our main emphasis is on surviving, keeping the chemistry together.

Overall we're working well as a unit but once we come up against better opponents we will need to be stronger in midfield.'' Cougars: L.Place; M.Dill, S.Smith, D.Durrant, S.Coddington; D.Russell, C.Azhar, T.Smith (W.Salaam 58 mins), D.Brangman, P.Clarke (P.Mallory 85 mins), C.Campbell.

St. George's: D.Smith; D.Bailey, P.Bailey, D.Walker, A.Todd; H.Bascome, D.Richardson (D.Minors 85 mins), C.Smith, R.Hill, S.Dickinson, L.Robinson (C.Greaves 63 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of match: Dale Russell (Cougars), Clay Smith (St. George's).