Saturday night battle against relegation.

Vasco's victory over a punchless PHC kept them in First Division football -- and the hunt for the remaining Martonmere Cup place.

Coach Ed Correia rushed on to the pitch to salute his players as heroes after referee Stuart Crockwell blew time on the encounter at PHC.

"It was absolutely crucial we should win. We did and we have avoided relegation,'' he declared.

Correia pointed to Karl Roberts -- who replaced the out-of-touch Albert Wolffe -- as a turning point in the game, which saw a marked second-half improvement.

Vasco's deserved win, however, virtually killed any hopes Southampton Rangers may have clung on to of remaining in the First Division.

Although still in with a mathematical chance of staying up, it would require a footballing miracle for this to happen.

Rangers, who won yesterday, need to beat title-chasing North Village while PHC lose to relegated St. David's.

Vasco have now leapfrogged PHC in the standings.

For PHC coach Alfie Eve his team -- also fighting for a Martonmere Cup slot -- put on a strangely lacklustre performance against Vasco.

The only consolation of sorts was that so few people turned up to the stadium to watch.

"I felt we were a bit flat and did not have the will to win,'' he reflected.

"We weren't looking to attack the goal. It's hard to say why.'' His thoughts are now turned to next season, and the hope of grooming his younger players and moulding the team into a better fighting force.

One of the young bloods is defender Damon Francis.

Sadly, his night was marred when he set Vasco on their way by upending their pacy striker Irving Burgess in the box.

Crockwell pointed to the spot immediately, and Earl Richardson carried out a perfect 51st-minute execution.

After a few short strides, he banged the ball high into the net past a helpless Ty Williams.

Eve was keen afterwards not to heap blame on his defender.

"It was his inexperience,'' he said.

Vasco gained a much-needed 2-0 cushion seven minutes after Richardson's goal.

This time it was Carl Ainscough who turned expertly to fire past Williams from a few yards out.

It was his first goal of the season, and brought cries of relief from Vasco's bench.

Vasco nearly made it three in the 73rd minute when Colin Lloyd swept the ball in from the right to a lurking Burgess, who headed it just past the post.

A minute later, however, and it was Ottis Steede who produced the game's highlight, and gave some hope to PHC.

He slammed the ball past Vasco goalkeeper Keenan Tucker from 25 yards.

The wind seemed to catch the ball, which swerved high into the net, completely deceiving Tucker.

The second-half goal flurry provided something to warm a small crowd on a crisp and blowy night.

There had certainly been little to marvel at in an opening 45 minutes noteworthy for not producing a meaningful shot on goal.

PHC: T.Williams, D.Francis, B.Bean, M.Dill, D.Outerbridge, B.Simons (R.Lewis, 59 mins), O.Steede, M.Wade, K.Mills, S.Swan, S.Ming.

Vasco: K.Tucker, C.Lloyd, E.Richardson, P.Towlson, D.Livingston, G.Ray (M.Tankard, 81 mins), C.Ainscough, A.Wolffe (K. Roberts, 45 mins), L.Durham, I.Burgess, R.Mallory.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Ottis Steede (PHC); Irving Burgess (Vasco).