Boulevard and Devonshire Colts continued their moves towards opposite ends of the Premier Division standings following a dogged encounter at BAA Field yesterday.

Boulevard, among those tussling for championship honours, grabbed three vital points with a come-from-behind 4-2 victory to keep up their challenge in the league race.

By contrast, Colts maintained their flirtation with relegation and will now fight it out with Hamilton Parish and Somerset Eagles to avoid the dreaded drop.

Shannon Burgess? team, however, must have been thinking their fortunes were taking a decided turn for the better when they opened the scoring ? thanks to an Aljame Zuill header ? in the seventh minute.

That strike, though, was nullified two minutes later when Boulevard marksman Raymond Burgess smashed a through ball from his skipper Melchisedec Gibbons past Kevin Bean?s left hand from about 15 yards. It was 1-1 and Boulevard were in acceleration mode.

The home team proceeded to dominate the half with a number of players making probing runs on either wing, bringing saves from Bean or missing the target narrowly.

There was a sense Boulevard could hit the net any time. So, it was no surprise that the energetic Gibbons put his team ahead after 35 minutes with one of his trademark, cracking drives after a brisk build-up on the right flank.

The ball rocketed into the goal?s bottom, left corner from about 20 yards as Boulevard fans erupted in celebration at their club?s 2-1 advantage.

Colts, whose chances evaporated as their hosts took control of the first half, seemed more determined after the break. Still Boulevard widened the gap to 3-1 before Colts struck again.

Burgess, battling between defenders and mindful of the onrushing ?keeper, toe-poked the ball past Bean in the 48th minute for his second goal of the game. Not to be outdone, Zuill recorded his second in the 52nd minute as he bundled the ball home amid a goal-mouth scramble.

At 3-2 to Boulevard, Colts fancied a comeback. The match?s intensity rose accordingly with the visitors hunting a precious equaliser. But it was not to be.

Instead, Gibbons put the points beyond the opposition?s reach in the 80th minute. He bolted down the left wing and struck a sizzling blow from distance that cannoned into the net?s right, bottom corner.

?We?re still in the chase for the league (title) but it?s going to be tough with (Dandy) Town getting three points today and having a game in hand.

?We?re happy with our season and we will give it our best shot,? said the 24-year-old Boulevard captain, pleased with the 4-2 outcome. C.Durant, T.Trott, J.Samuels, S.Lewis, R.Wilson, M.Gibbons, Jahmarley Samuels, C.Simmons (A.Simmons, 72 mins), T.Davis (J.Pearman, 84 mins), R.Burgess (M.Pace, 84 mins), L.Hypolite.K.Bean, G.Gibbons (M.Burch, 7 mins), S.Burgess, M.Hollis, K.Simpson, J.Butterfield, D.Francis, M.Bean (K.Burchall, 45 mins), Q.Aberdeen, A.Zuill, R.Spence (L.Holder, 70 mins). J.Samuels, M.Gibbons (Boulevard); S.Burgess (Devonshire). S.Crockwell.