Boulevard's run in top-flight soccer looks just about done after this deflating loss at St. John's field yesterday.

The lone goal came on 61 minutes from Carlos Smith who made leaden-footed Dean Boyles pay for settling too long on the ball.

It was a setback all too typical for the Blazers who until then looked full value for a point.

Afterwards, though, it must be said that Town could have easily run away three or four-goal winners.

Boulevard are now left needing a miracle finish in the scheduled April 9 season finale.

And the miracle is this -- they must defeat title chasers North Village by 22 goals and also hope fellow relegation strugglers Southampton get by Somerset Trojans in a close match.

The likelihood is that Boulevard will be consigned to First Division soccer next season but in exciting forward Shakai Crockwell and centre-half Mitchell Trott they have something to work with for the future.

On numerous occasions, Crockwell threatened to unlock the Town defence while Trott was the most consistent member of a Boulevard rearguard that twice relied on an outstretched leg from goalkeeper Kimwandar Walker to spare its blushes.

Town's indecision in front of goal was exposed as early as the second minute when Raymond Beach failed to turn in a Kris Martin cross from point-blank range.

Boulevard were presented with a great chance in the 20th minute after Town 'keeper Jason Smith was blown down for raising his leg on Stevie Wade 10 yards out.

The youngster made amends with a fine one-handed save from Wade as the remainder of his team protected the goal-line.

Town hit back quick on the counter with Lionel Furbert blazing over at the end of a pacy run.

In fairness, the bumpy St. John's pitch made attractive soccer highly unlikely.

But the best of fluent moves, however few and far between, came from the home side.

Smith struck the outside of a post after beating a lazy Boulevard offside trap and the forward threatened again with a quick run and cross from the left that just eluded Paul Cann.

Right on half-time, Trott produced a saving tackle from Furbert after Walker made his only real mistake of the afternoon, spilling a tame Dean Bailey chip.

The second half began in bizarre fashion for Boulevard who kicked off with only 10 men on the pitch. Midfielder Desta Samuels apparently made a late decision that he could not carry on and it was not for three minutes that the half-time replacement could be made.

Beach brought the first kick save from Walker in the 51st minute with a firm drive after a crucial touch from Cann.

Then Boulevard could have very easily taken the lead but for the quick reflexes of 'keeper Smith who got down well to save Crockwell's expertly executed bicycle kick.

The rest of the highlights belonged to Town with Furbert's first touch letting him down in front of goal in the 55th minute and Smith shooting just wide soon after as the Boulevard goal came under siege.

But the winner came out of nothing, Boyles harried out of possession near the half-way line by the combination of Smith and Furbert.

The finish was clinical, Smith clipping the ball over an advancing Walker.

A double substitution immediately after solidified Town's control as only then did they display their best stuff.

Walker saved well from Smith, again with his left foot, Curtis Azhar hit the bar with a header and sub Darron Simons shot over when well placed.

But the one goal was all they needed for the air was already out of Boulevard's tyres.

Dandy Town: J.Smith; D.Bailey, L.Christopher, C.Azhar, W.Rudo; L.Furbert, K.Martin (H.Wolffe, 62 mins), D.Boyles, R.Beach; P.Cann, C.Smith.

Boulevard: K.Walker; V.Eve, K.Darrell, M.Trott, D.Boyles; J.Payne, D.Samuels (V.Tuzo, 48 mins), J.Samuels, A.Brown (M.Hewey, 38 mins); S.Wade, S.Crockwell.

Men of the match: Paul Cann (Town); Shakai Crockwell (Boulevard).

Referee: Gary Cooke.

Yellow cards: Boyles (Boulevard), Boyles (Town).