Although it was a low-scoring affair yesterday at St. David's, this match was entertaining as both sides played competitive soccer in spite of the cold and blustery conditions.

In the end, Boulevard came out winners for the seventh time this season thanks to Stevie Wade's 61st-minute strike, which preserved their two-point lead at the top. The leaders have now gone seven matches, stretching back to October 10, without conceding a goal in the league.

In the opening seconds of the game, Vasco nearly opened their account when Irving Burgess outpaced the defence and pushed his shot inches wide from 10 yards as Boulevard goalkeeper Mitchell Steede was caught advancing late for the ball. As usual, Boulevard's short-passing game was operating fluently.

However, the stubborn Vasco defence was able to repel their attacks and offer a few counter-attacks of their own.

Despite good ball movement by both teams, they were equally ineffective on offence as they fought valiantly and desperately to find the combination for that elusive go-ahead goal.

Vasco again came close in the 25th minute when Voorhees Astwood was able to break free, momentarily, of the defence and power a shot at goal that just curled around the left upright, aided in part by the wind.

Boulevard, likewise, came within a hair width of scoring when Herbie Bascome rifled a shot from 25 yards that bounced on the crossbar twice before going over the top in the 35th minute of play.

Both teams played to a virtual deadlock during the remaining 10 minutes of the half and seemed content to take a tie into the changing room.

However, a minute before the break, Boulevard's Albert Caisey was denied a sure goal when he unleashed a shot from outside the Vasco penalty area only to see the ball brilliantly headed off the line by Earl Richardson who dove full length for the ball that was no higher than a foot off the ground.

In the 56th minute of play, Ricky Mallory headed on a ball to a streaking Larance Durham whose tame shot from just inside the penalty area rolled weakly and harmlessly past goal.

Boulevard drove a stake into the heart of the Vasco faithful when Wade, on a deep routine cross from the wing, floated in a pass at the far post, which appeared to be covered by Vasco 'keeper Keenan Tucker.

Unfortunately for Tucker, the ball somehow squeezed through his hands and over the goal-line touching off a euphoric celebration by the Boulevard players.

Certainly, this was a game that Vasco did not deserve to lose. By the same token, it was a game that Boulevard, despite their lucky goal, should not have won.

But like all great and championship calibre teams, Boulevard found the will and the way, to emerge victorious.

Boulevard: M.Steede, W.Richardson, G.Smith, A.Caisey, C.Caisey, N.Robinson, V.Symonds (N.Hull, 83 mins), D.Warren, A.Brown, H.Bascome, S.Wade.

Vasco: K.Tucker, K.Roberts, E.Richardson, D.Livingston, P.Towlson, V.Astwood, D.Thomas, L.Durham, A.Cabral (C.Bell, 77 mins), I.Burgess, R.Mallory.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Herbie Bascome (Boulevard); Donovan Livingston (Vasco).