Dandy Town placed one hand on the Premier Division championship after coming out 3-2 winners of a riveting clash against Devonshire Colts at White Hill Field yesterday.

With time rapidly fading and the score deadlocked at 2-2, livewire striker Raymond Beach stepped up in the 87th minute to score the most important goal of his young career.

It may not have been the `shot heard around the world', but the importance of the strike in terms of Town's title hopes was huge.

Town can now confirm themselves as champions with victory over bottom side Southampton Rangers, something which would appear a mere formality ... just don't tell that to coach Andrew Bascome.

"It's the jinx team and we still have to go and play, so we can't get ahead of ourselves,'' said Bascome, struggling to contain his joy. "But we've come this far and it makes no sense to turn back.'' Early beginnings yesterday gave the impression that Town might wipe the floor with Colts, as they took the lead just two minutes into the match, their first attacking manoeuvre proving fruitful.

Midfielder Devon Binns picked up the ball on the left side and rifled in a low cross that eluded the Colts defence, but not the boot of Beach as he tapped in at the far post.

Visions of grandeur were soon dismissed as Colts stormed back with two quick strikes.

Keenan Burchall pulled Colts level in the eighth minute as Town were lax in clearing a bouncing ball just outside the penalty area, allowing Burchall to unleash a volley that gave goalkeeper Jason Smith no chance.

Two minutes later Colts went ahead, and again poor defending was the cause.

Clevon Hill picked up the ball just inside the top third and was allowed to effortlessly meander through before depositing his shot inside the near post.

The pace slowed after the early explosion, but Town brought matters back to boiling point on the half hour, with Darron Simons guilty of a glaring miss as he struck the crossbar from a mere four yards out.

Simons made up for the gaffe seconds later as he rose from the deck to slam home the equaliser from close range after Lionel Furbert had nudged on a right wing corner.

It all came down to who would prevail in the second half and in the end Town produced the goods.

Bascome told of his concern when the pair stood tied with time running out, knowing that a draw would allow North Village, who were winning away to Rangers, to assume the league leadership.

"I asked one of the fans what the score was, so I knew that we needed a result,'' said Bascome, seeking his first title with Town and the club's third overall. "I changed the formation and went with three at the back and sent more people forward and played the percentages and it worked for us.'' Devonshire Colts: K.Bean; K.Simpson, S.Burgess, M.Bean, Jermel Belboda (L.Holder 76 mins); J.Samuels, K.Burchall, Jermaine Belboda, A.Zuill; C.Hill Q.Aberdeen 84 mins), M.Belboda (V.Ball 76 mins).

Dandy Town: J.Smith; L.Furbert, P.Douglas, K.Mundy, L.Christopher; K.Smith (C.Smith 55 mins), D.Boyles, P.Cann (M.Trott 92 mins), D.Binn (R.Tucker 69 mins); R.Beach, D.Simons.

Men of the Match: Aljame Zuill (Devonshire Colts); Raymond Beach (Dandy Town).

Yellow cards: Michael Bean (Devonshire Colts); Pernel Douglas, Kuma Smith (Dandy Town).