Just two minutes after being reduced to 10 men with forward Clay Smith having been sent off for shoving an opponent, St. George's still managed to deliver the blow that led to St. David's being relegated yesterday at Wellington Oval.

The derby game saw St. George's snatch a vital point when skipper and centre-back Earl Basden drove home a penalty after 68 minutes, which was awarded when substitute Charles Furbert pulled down striker Quinton Francis from behind.

The goal proved to be costly as St. David's required a victory in order to improve their chances of surviving in the First Division for another season.

The game was one that was filled with tension in the second half with tempers flaring over the slightest tackle between rival players. It was indeed fortunate that FIFA referee Esten Curtis was assigned to officiate with senior linesmen Charlie Marshall and Glyn Gilbert.

As it was Curtis had his hands full after 66 minutes when a two-minute disturbance almost led to a serious punch-up. But the referee remained in charge and with the help of club officials was able to subdue the players.

However, after consulting linesman Gilbert, Curtis gave Clay Smith his marching orders -- after the player was apparently involved in a shoving incident with St. David's goalkeeper Dale Fox.

St. George's were startled by the early goal that St. David's scored after just 15 minutes. It came when Eugene Crockwell put the ball home from close in after Sean Smith crossed from the right.

The home team, always the classier of the two sides, pushed powerfully forward for the remainder of the half but time and time again scoring chances went astray.

Francis had a clearance deflect off his body and go just wide of the post after 19 minutes and he followed this up by putting another shot from 15 yards wide also.

But the biggest miss came after 33 minutes when Clay Smith masterfully got around three defenders and crossed into the middle where Gregory Foggo put his shot wide from just 14 yards.

St. David's threatened during isolated raids and were unlucky after 35 minutes when a header by James Pace was cleared off the goal-line by Steven Denbrooke, then a hard shot by Sherwin Hollis was deflected off substitute Phillip Bailey.

The home team dominated the early proceedings in the second half and should have equalised after 48 minutes but Duval Smith put his shot wide from close in with only Fox to beat.

After Basden got the equaliser St. David's started to make progress with the one-man advantage but the home team's defence stood firm with Basden well in charge.

However, St. David's did have a few shots on goal but these were long-range efforts by Sean Smith after 70 minutes, both going high over goal.

After the penalty St. George's never accomplished much up front either where their forwards continued to look inept when in possession.

St. George's: T.Hall; A.Todd, E.Basden, P.Fubler (P.Bailey, 28 mins), S.Denbrook; M.Outerbridge, J.Cieters; G.Foggo, D.Smith, Q.Francis (M.Simmons, 87 mins), C.Smith.

St. David's: D.Fox; A.Lugo, C.Richardson (D.Hollis, 73 mins), W.Smith, S.Pitcher; S.Smith, E.Crockwell, A.Darrell; S.Hollis, J.Pace, J.Laws (C.Furbert, 56 mins).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Jan Cieters (St. George's); Calvin Richardson (St. David's).

KISS OF DEATH -- Earl Basden scored from the penalty spot to give St. David's a quick return to the Second Division.