Clay Smith's second half strike was enough to take Vasco clear at the top of the Coca Cola First Division last night at Devonshire Rec.

The result puts Vasco three points ahead of Boulevard in the title race while Cougars remain tied for last.

The first of Vasco's chances came in the 13th minute when a well worked move saw Kentoine Jennings, playing in a midfield role, lob the ball into the box to beat goalkeeper Tori Henry.

However, Henry recovered in time to save Ascento Russell's header from almost on the goalline.

Moments later Jennings headed over the bar from Otis Steede's corner on the left as Vasco began to stamp their authority. They held the edge in midfield where Jennings linked up with Steede and Voorhees Astwood.

However, Cougars looked dangerous on the break and in the 27th minute went close when a ball into the box saw Philip Clarke use his pace to beat defender Donovan Livingston and the advancing Timmy Figureido to the ball but steer his header past the near post.

The half ended with two bookings for Cougars as Stephen Coddington was cautioned for obstructing a Vasco throw-in and Wali Salaam had his name take for slamming into Sammy Swan.

Cougars had the first chance in the second half to take the lead when Coddington threaded a pass through the Vasco defence to set up Mark Smith but he blasted first time over the bar.

The winning goal came in the 58th minute when a high ball into the box by Ascento Russell beat both Shawn Smith and Kenneth Swan in the middle of the Cougars defence and Smith pounced and smashed a first time shot past the helpless Henry.

Paul Towlson of Vasco became the third booking of the match when he was cautioned for bringing down Salaam.

Right on full time time Smith almost added a second goal when he curled the ball around the Cougars wall from a freekick outside the box but the diving Henry blocked the ball with his body to concede a corner.

Cougars: T.Henry; G.Butterfield (Thomas 46min), S.Smith, K.Swan, M.Dill, S.Coddington, W.Salaam, G.Dyer, S.Caisey (C.Goddard 69min), P.Clarke, M.Smith (S.Goater 67min).

Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, D.Livingston, P.Towlson, E.Richardson, Kent.Jennings, O.Steede, V.Astwood, S.Swan (T.Caisey 84min), A.Russell, C.Smith.

Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: Wali Salaam (Cougars), Kentoine Jennings (Vasco).