Skipper Albert Smith converted a second-half penalty to give visiting Boulevard both points from this stimulating First Division game at St. John's field yesterday.

Smith delivered the blow to the home team five minutes into the second half after Vernon Symonds was brought down from behind by fellow midfielder Paul Cann.

The defeat means that Town lose their grip of third place in the tables and find themselves faced with a more difficult task of keeping pace with the leaders.

One bit of satisfaction for coach Robert Calderon though is that Dandy Town did not go down without a fight. In fact after being outplayed during the early stages, they came back into the game with momentum and could have pulled of a victory with a bit of luck.

However, this turned out to be a day when their front men were simply out of touch with striker Dennis Robinson and Lionel Cann in particular falling into this category. Cann was wisely substituted in the second half.

With Vernon Symonds and Amon Brown prominent in their attacks and striker Carlos Pearman dangerous in the box Boulevard pinned down the home during the early stages. In addition to Pearman and Brown placing shots wide, Dwight Warren had a hard drive blocked by young Ricky Tucker in the Dandy Town goal.

When the home team eventually found themselves the game livened up as play switched from end to end with Robinson coming closest for Dandy Town after 25 minutes when he forced Mitchell Steede in the Boulevard goal to tip a hard drive from 16 yards over the bar.

The trend continued until the interval with both goalkeepers looking sharp but the attacks of each team were still unable to take advantage of several openings.

Once Boulevard took the lead through the penalty they were still not allowed to maintain the upper hand.

Play got a little rough as time progressed and referee Frank Drayton was kept busy dealing with rough tackling most of the time.

Dandy Town showed they were capable of pulling off victory when play resumed with Walter Musson and Robinson powerfully placing shots just over.

Even still, Boulevard remained dangerous on isolated raids, most of which were spearheaded by the hard-working Warren.

When Carlos Smith and Stevie Wade came off the substitutes' bench Town clearly accomplished more up front, but with Leroy Stevens marshalling the defence Boulevard refused to yield.

Dandy Town: R.Tucker; W.Rudo, W.Campbell, N.Paynter, L.Christopher; P.Douglas, P.Cann, G.Johnson (S.Wade, 65 mins); L.Cann (C.Smith, 71 mins), D.Robinson, W.Musson.

Boulevard: M.Steede; D.Boyles, L.Stevens, K.Darrell, V.Eve; V.Symonds, J.Boyles, A.Smith; A.Brown (W.Richardson, 71 mins), C.Pearman, D.Warren.

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of the match: Ricky Tucker (Dandy Town); Mitchell Steede (Boulevard).

DWIGHT WARREN -- Hard-working.

CLOSE CALL -- Boulevard's Vernon Eve, carlos Pearman and goalkeeper Mitchell Steede do their utmost to keep Dandy Town from scoring with Town's Dennis Robinson and bandana-clad Stevie Wade near by.