Hamilton Parish were condemned to Second Division football next season by a Vasco side marching unstoppably towards the First Division title.

But the Hot Peppers went down fighting and held the league leaders to 1-1 in the first half, before caving in late in the game at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Vasco, boosted by an excellent brace of goals by Sinclair Gibbons, retained their six point lead at the top and, with just three games remaining, look virtual certainties to retain the championship.

Parish started well and gave Vasco a scare in the 15th minute when Kuma Smith rolled his shot inches wide after nipping in to steal possession from goalkeeper Stefan Dupres, standing in for the rested Timmy Figureido.

But after a period of intense pressure from Vasco, which produced a header against the bar by Meshach Wade and a fine save by Parish goalkeeper Cymande Davis from Gibbons, the champions took the lead.

Ascento Russell made a strong run into the right hand side of the penalty area and was tripped by Ryan Evans. Referee Lyndon Raynor pointed to the spot and Wade converted the penalty, albeit via the hand of Davis.

Vasco enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but when Parish managed to get the ball, they used it well.

Clevon Hill should have levelled the scores in the 26th minute, but sliced his shot wide as he slid in to get on the end of a teasing cross from Smith.

And Smith himself went close nine minutes later with an angled drive just wide of the left-hand post.

There was plenty of goalmouth action at the other end too, with Otis Steede denied by another fine save by Davis before Russell headed over an open goal.

Vasco were stunned by a brilliant Parish equaliser in the 38th minute. A fast-flowing move involving Smith and Irving Burgess gave Sean Dill the chance of a 40-yard clear run at goal and Dill finished superbly, drilling his shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

After the break, Vasco moved up a gear, determined not to drop more points following their goalless draw with Wolves in midweek.

Davis delayed the inevitable with a fine save at Russell's feet in the 51st minute, but two minutes later Gibbons restored the Vasco lead with a fine individual effort, cutting in from the left flank and steering his shot past Davis.

Parish were fortunate to keep a full side on the field after Smith earned himself a booking in an ugly clash with Vasco's Wayne Augustus in the 68th minute. Augustus tackled Smith and cleared the ball and Smith, while still grounded, aimed a wild kick at his opponent's legs, right in front of the assistant referee. The fact Augustus managed to jump out of the way probably saved Smith from an early shower.

Dwight Basden missed a great chance to make it 3-1 in the 65th minute when he blazed over the bar after being sent clear by Steede. But Basden did get on the scoresheet seven minutes later, side-footing home from close range from Russell's cross.

In a rare Parish counter-attack, Leon Raynor's shot produced a good save from Dupres, but Davis was still the busier 'keeper and blocked well with his legs to thwart Russell and dived to beat away Steede's long-range strike.

Gibbons killed off Parish and sealed their relegation with his second goal five minutes from time, leaping high at the far post to head in Basden's chipped cross.

Vasco's regular goalkeeper Timmy Figureido appeared as an outfield player when he replaced Basden for the last four minutes and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, but his performance suggested he should stick to net-minding.

Parish: C.Davis, K.Burchall, J.Dill, C.Caisey, A.Baker, R.Evans, K.Smith, S.Dill, L.Raynor, I.Burgess, C.Hill.

Vasco: S.Dupres, D.Sharrieff, W.Augustus, D.Stapley, M.Wade, C.Roberts, L.Durham (T.Outerbridge 80 mins), O.Steede, S.Gibbons, A.Russell (T.Darrzil 84 mins), D.Basden (T.Figureido 86 mins).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.

Men of the match: Cymande Davis (Parish); Sinclair Gibbons (Vasco).