Dandy Town 2 Vasco 1 Two second-half goals from Darron Simons, the winner four minutes from time, served to kick-start Dandy Town's season in this enthralling match at windswept St. John's Field yesterday.

Town, whose reign as Coca-Cola First Division champions has come into question due to indifferent recent form, hold onto first place and after this performance finally look the part.

They did well to hold off a rampant Vasco side, who were beaten for the first time since John Rebello took over the coaching duties in mid-November. Dwight Basden, who put the visitors ahead after only four minutes, constantly bothered the Town defence. And it was his side, who despite a much-improved second half from the home team, generally looked the likelier to score.

But it took decisive crosses from Troy Lewis to make the difference as Simons increased his league-leading tally to 17 goals.

The form books would have predicted a Vasco victory but, still, the ease with which the first goal came was quite unexpected.

Kurt Martin was robbed in midfield by Mark Ray and a first-time pass put Basden through the middle. After holding off a challenge and wrong-footing goalkeeper Cymande Davis, Basden gladly scored into an open net.

It was just the start Vasco needed and the worst possible scenario for a struggling Town team.

To their credit, Town kept their heads up but, had Vasco taken advantage of the chances that came their way, the match could have been over as a contest by half-time.

Pernell Douglas' loss of footing in the 18th minute almost cost his team as Basden raced by, but Davis was quick to see off the danger with a good save.

Then, six minutes before the half, Davis was again in the right position to deny Basden again.

Meanwhile, Town had their fair share of possession but did little with it to bother Vasco goalkeeper Timmy Figureido.

That changed significantly in the second half as Town, with the wind at their backs, raised their game.

Vasco did not sit back, however, as they too improved the quality of this hard-fought affair. But the most telling blows were struck by the hosts.

It was clear early that Vasco's defence, minus the imposing Kentoine Jennings, would have problems judging the ball in the blustery conditions. And after 50 minutes, Towlson and Figureido were at sixes and sevens but Carlos Smith could not capitalise.

Three minutes later the score was level and the goal's simplicity more than anything else was reason for Town to believe in themselves.

Lewis picked up the ball on the right and hit a driving cross that caught the Vasco defence out. A failed clearance beat Figureido and Simons, ever the poacher, carried out the execution with deadly accuracy.

For the next 10 minutes, Town 'keeper Davis apparently did his best to restore Vasco's lead.

First, on receiving a pass back from Pernell Douglas, he miskicked and let Irving Burgess in. The cross was cleared from Corey Hill by Wayne Campbell right in front of goal.

Then, after Walton Burgess made the running, Davis failed to collect cleanly with Basden bearing down. The ball fell to Hill who only had two defenders on the goal-line to beat but the shot came back off Don Lewis' legs.

Town needed to be resolute in defence now as the teasing Hill enjoyed his best period of the match and Irving Burgess started to get into it more.

The 73rd minute produced an exciting spell which saw Town spared three times within seconds.

His moment of insanity now over, Davis did well to parry Hill's drive low to his right. Douglas then kept out Burgess' header and the same player was again denied when his shot from a low Hill cross was deflected over.

Hill headed over in the 76th minute then Davis' agility prevented a deep Hill cross from getting to Basden at the back post.

Basden looked to have won it in the 81st minute when his shot while falling from 18 yards beat Davis. But young full-back Jamiko Marshall was on the line to clear it away.

Then, Town struck. The move was incisive and the finishing clinical.

Carlos Smith picked the ball up just inside the Vasco half on the left. He sent Lewis down the line and the little midfielder hit a first-time cross all along the ground with the outside of his right boot.

The pace of the cross through the goal area beat the defence and goalkeeper and Kris Martin popped up at the back post to redirect the ball back across goal where Simons coolly struck.

It was a goal that wins championships. In this case, it may have saved a season.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; D.Lewis, P.Douglas, W.Campbell, J.Marshall; T.Lewis, Kr.Martin, Ku.Martin, R.Parsons (N.Smith, 77 mins); C.Smith, D.Simons.

Vasco: T.Figureido; E.Richardson, P.Towlson, D.Livingston, D.Stapley; W.Burgess, M.Ray, L.Durham (S.Gibbons, 64 mins); I.Burgess, D.Basden, C.Hill.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Troy Lewis (Dandy Town); Dwight Basden (Vasco).

ON THE MOVE -- Walton Burgess of Vasco barely manages to escape this tackle from Dandy Town's Don Lewis at St. John's Field yesterday.