Making the transition from Second Division to First Division hasn't been easy for St. David's and seldom have the growing pains been more agonising than yesterday.

The Islanders, with just two wins under their belt, should've had number three against a tough Village team. But a series of eye-popping misses and one goalkeeper miscue conspired to reverse a more fitting score at Bernard Park.

While such a result could do untold damage to the fragile confidence of the young St. David's side, the Red Devils had no such concerns.

They played just well enough to win and in the process moved into a tie for fourth place with Vasco, PHC and Southampton Rangers.

A sloppy first half by both teams gave way to an intense, entertaining second.

St. David's brought on Lionel Cann at the break and it didn't take long for the sharpshooting forward to make an impact. But he'll have nightmares over the 55th minute, when he rocketed a 20-yard drive directly onto the post with nothing but an open net in front of him. Village 'keeper Dwayne Adams had come way out of goal in order to corral a long clearance -- only to see it knocked past him and over to a charging Cann.

Adams had earlier made the save of the game -- although St. David's Sergio Goater, like the man who came on for him at the half, was left shaking his head at the turn of events. Village defender Michael Hansey was stripped of the ball in the 40th minute, allowing Goater to go one-on-one with Adams, who won this battle when the St. David's forward couldn't get around him.

The only goal came in the 69th minute when St. David's 'keeper Kuhn Evans, steady throughout, failed to hang on to a 12-yard drive by Elliott Jennings.

The ball dropped at Evans' feet and before he could reach down, ever-dangerous winger Richard Wilson had swooped in to hammer the rebound home.

Wilson, who earlier headed onto the crossbar, set up team-mates Kevin Grant, Kimandi Binns and Kevin Jennings for close calls.

For St. David's, Shea Pitcher solidified the back four and initiated several counter-strikes, including some late pressure that nearly drew his team even.

North Village: D.Adams, M.Hansey, K.Grant, K.Dill (E.Jennings 30 mins), A.Simons, D.Bell, K.Binns, N.Smith, D.Wade, R.Wilson, K.Jennings.

St. David's: K.Evans, S.Pitcher, J.Thomas, T.Tyrell, R.Todd, J.Warren (E.Wolffe 70 mins), O.Minors, G.Foggo, A.Bascome (K.Gibbons 83 mins), S.Goater (L.Cann 46 mins), C.Simons.

Men of the match: North Village -- R.Wilson; St. David's -- G.Foggo Referee: Cal Simons