A double second-half strike by Hotels' Ricky Hill was enough to sink Dandy Town 2-1 at St. John's field yesterday and move the former level with Somerset at the top of the tables.

Defensive lapses by the home side saw the former Bermuda international twice receive the ball unmarked inside the penalty area and he made Town pay dearly with clinical finishing.

Carlos Smith responded with a late score for Town but in the end Town were left to reflect on their first league loss.

The first half produced nothing that would make any highlight films as scrappy play and poor passing and shooting were the order of the day.

Hill missed a sitter in the fifth minute when he sensationally shot over the top from four yards out when the ball landed at his feet after an aerial battle with goalkeeper Anthony Manders.

A similar scenario followed 15 minutes later as Hill was again off target with his effort, drawing the ire of team-mate Cooleridge Bell, who exhorted him to polish up his finishing.

Meanwhile, Town were equally inept as they were limited to a pair of failed chances by Walter Musson.

Despite the low level of play in the opening half, Town midfielder Pernell Douglas was able to distinguish himself with some hard work in the middle of the park alongside Kurt Martin and Shivaughn Smith.

Hill was also a constant threat with his leaping ability and probing runs, but with neither side able to string together passes one wondered if the match would ever rise above mediocre.

But both sides came out with renewed vigour for the second half and the standard rose appreciably.

Musson brought a fine reflex save from Darrell five minutes following the restart sending in a ferocious left-footed drive from 16 yards that the 'keeper managed to parry away for a corner.

However, while the home fans basked in the thoughts of what might have been Hotels surged ahead on the strength of Hill's first tally, which came after 54 minutes.

Four Town players watched dumbfounded as a ball from the left rolled untouched across the face of the goal to the boot of Hill who gave Manders no chance with his first-time shot.

The lead was almost doubled a minute later with three Hotels players having cracks at goal.

Hill's free kick from just outside the penalty area bounced off the crossbar to Bell, who had his shot blocked off the line and Chris Sabir's follow-up header was likewise cleared away.

Sensing the gravity of the situation Town began to press more in attack.

Speed merchant Carlos Smith began locating holes in Hotels' back four, managing to get off two tries during counter-attacks but shot wide and had another saved by Darrell.

However, the die was cast in the 67th minute with the notching of a second goal by Hill. This time a floating left-wing cross by Eugene Simmons was met by the head of Hill rising at the far post and Manders was again helpless to prevent the ball finding the back of the net.

Smith was finally able to find the range and reduce the arrears to a single goal 11 minutes from time after battling for a loose ball in the Hotels penalty area and blasting past a stunned Darrell.

Dandy Town: A.Manders; J.Belboda, W.Campbell (L.Furbert, 74 mins), T.Durham, W.Rudo; P.Douglas (D.Robinson, 89 mins), S.Smith, K.Martin; S.Wade, C.Smith, W.Musson.

Hotels: R.Darrell; D.Bell, P.Smith, F.Greaves, D.Scott; C.Bell, M.Piper, C.Sabir, E.Simmons; R.Hill, C.Anderson (D.Lewis, 88 mins).

Referee: Greg Belboda.

Men of the match: Pernell Douglas (Dandy Town); Randy Darrell (Hotels).

GOAL HERO -- Hotel's Ricky Hill.