Kacy Simons scored the only goal of the game after just four minutes of play to give North Village two points in this uninspiring First Division game at Bernard Park yesterday.

The Dandy Town defence virtually handed the goal to North Village after being unable to make a clearance to allow Andrew Bascome to create the opening for the full-back to connect with a swirling drive from just outside the penalty box.

The match-up between Town and Village, second and third respectively going into the game, was expected to produce a high standard of soccer but instead play was often lacklustre with both attacks guilty of breaking down because of misdirected passes as they reached the penalty area.

Town however came back into the game with enough momentum after the early setback to earn a deserved draw, but they just were not able to pull it off.

They were denied an equaliser after 36 minutes when their hard-working striker Carlos Smith slammed the ball against the post following a corner by Walter Musson.

But before Smith's agonising miss North Village had a chance go astray also.

After 17 minutes, Bascome had a shot saved by goalkeeper Anthony Manders and then the rebound struck by veteran Eugene Simmons was put wide of the post from close range.

Village were forced to make two substitutions because of injury before the end of the first half. Richard Todd replaced Kevin Jennings after 25 minutes and Sean Dill came on for Bascome after 38 minutes. This clearly affected the pattern of their play and allowed Town to take command until the half-time whistle.

The visitors got another taste of bad luck three minutes before the interval when centre-half Wayne Campbell headed a long throw-in by Musson just over the bar.

The second half saw Town continue to hold a decisive edge with Smith putting a shot inches wide after 57 minutes and then slamming another effort a foot wide of the post from the edge of the area after combining with Musson.

Village continued to have difficulty in finding their rhythm and, consequently, the few raids they attempted were easily dealt with by a defence marshalled well by Campbell and skipper Lloyd Christopher.

Town almost got that deserved equaliser after 80 minutes when Troy Lewis sent a blistering drive towards goal from an angle on the right only to see goalkeeper Carlyle Crockwell brilliantly dive full length to push the effort wide of the post for a corner.

Village had their moments when they appeared dangerous with Philip Clarke and Sean Dill lurking during isolated counter-attacks.

It was from one of these build-ups that Clark should have scored after 84 minutes, but he could do no better than to chip the ball into the waiting arms of Manders after entering the area.

North Village: C.Crockwell; K.Simons, D.Bell, Ken.Jennings, A.Simons; Kev.Jennings (R.Todd, 25 mins), E.Simmons, R.Edness, A.Bascome (S.Dill, 38 mins); E.Jennings, P.Clarke.

Dandy Town: A.Manders; W.Rudo, W.Campbell, L.Christopher, D.Lewis (P.Cann, 68 mins); P.Douglas, Kr.Martin, T.Lewis; Ku.Martin, C.Smith (L.Furbert, 75 mins), W.Musson.

Referee: Kenny Perinchief.

Men of the match: Kacy Simons (North Village); Wayne Campbell (Dandy Town).

ET TU, MUSSON -- Walter Musson of Dandy Town, centre, does his Diego Maradona `Hand of God' impression while closed in by North Village centre-halves Kentoine Jennings and Derek Bell.

KACY SIMONS -- Winning goal.