Commercial A Division frontrunners Tuff Dogs picked up their eighth win of the season to maintain a slim one-point lead over defending champions Robin Hood last Saturday.

The youthfulness of Tuff Dogs, who have two games in hand over Hood, proved too steep a mountain to climb for a Devonshire All-Stars outfit which went down 4-0 without offering much resistance at Shelly Bay Field.

Two goals apiece by Carlos Lopes and Quinton Burgess saw Dogs bag three more valuable points and remain in the hunt for top honours.

Hood, meanwhile, kept up their hot pursuit of the season's surprise leaders after edging by Lobster Pot 3-2 in hard-fought battle at White Hill Field which swung in more directions than a compass could bear.

Pot stunned the visiting team by forging ahead midway through the opening half through a goal from Ken Mahadeo. Their joy, however, was short-lived as Hood equalised two minutes later via a Tillman Darrell strike.

Paul McCluskey then gave the Merrymen the lead and what initially appeared to be the winner 12 minutes from full-time. But Pot were determined not to go down without a fight and within two minutes found themselves level after Saleem Mukuddem broke through the Hood defence and equalised. Hood, though, would have the final say as Dave Wolfe scored the winner nine minutes from time to keep his team's league title aspirations alive.

Also remaining in the hunt for league glory were BAA, 2-1 winners over MR Onions at BAA Field. Gary Stewart and Gary Wilson both converted for the home team, while Nick Briggs bagged Onions' consolation.

Fourth-placed Key West Rangers, meanwhile, got by relegation threatened St.George's All-Stars 3-1 at St.John's Field. Rangers' prolific striker Sergio Griffin, a former Dandy Town player, kept up his impressive scoring record by bagging two goals, while last season's top poacher Craig Critchlow grabbed his team's other. William Richardson replied for All-Stars who have now lost nine matches.

At Southampton Oval, for the second time this season PHC Raiders allowed North Village Rams off the hook and grab a late share of the spoils.

Things looked very promising for Raiders in the early going as Al Thomas applied the finish to a brilliant solo run, beating Nyon Steede with a crisp, low drive which raced into the back of the net.

Rams, however, equalised shortly after the restart through hard-working forward Maceo Dill only for Michael Trott to bolt out of the gate and restore Raiders' lead with a well-taken strike minutes later.

But, as was the case earlier this season, Raiders were cruelly punished in the final minutes of this match as loose marking at the back allowed the ever-dangerous Ricky Hill to pounce and earn his club a share of the points.

In B Division action, runaway leaders Valley FC were held 1-1 against Prospect/Fire at Police Field, their first draw of the season.

James Tyrell put Valley out front with a goal early in the sceond-half, only for Dwayne Smith to equalise for Prospect eight minutes later.

Dockyard Falcons, meanwhile, remained in second place thanks to a 4-0 drubbing over neighbouring Somerset Extros at Malabar.

He might have been one of the smallest players on the field, but former Trojan Anthony (Berker) Burchall stood tall after bagging a fine pair of goals to spearhead his team's attack. Dwayne (Box) DeRosa and Gary Trott grabbed Falcon's other goals as Extros woes continued.

In what proved to be all one-way traffic at Shelly Bay Field, Vasco Mariners thrashed an eight-man Pest Control side 10-0.

William Henderson led the way, scoring a hat-trick while Andrew Bento and Joe Cunha each grabbed two goals. Others featuring in the extermination of Pest Control were Mark DeMoura, John Frias and former Vasco 'keeper, Anthony Lema.

In another high-scoring affair at White Hill Field, Somerset Eagles thumped a fangless Wolves Pack 8-0. Dion Minors, Paul Humphreys and Jerome Richardson all found the back of the net twice, while Sean Saltus and Troy Smith, nephew of former Somerset Trojan great Richard (Dirt) Simmons, each scored to round off what proved to be a fine afternoon for the home team.

The match between Prison Officers and Devonshire Lions scheduled for Devonshire Rec. was postponed.

Commercial action takes a back seat as FA Cup play takes prominence this weekend, however, three make-up matches will be played.

Devonshire All-Stars take on North Village Rams at Shelly Bay (1 p.m.), Lobster Pot host PHC Raiders at White Hill Field (3 p.m.) while St.George's All-Stars and BAA will do battle at Wellington Oval, beginning at 3 p.m.