The teams might look at this goalless draw at Wellington Oval yesterday as a point gained or a point lost, but they'll probably agree that the point earned is better than none at all.

North Village, trying to avenge two losses to St. George's this season on their home field, made a late surge and almost produced a winner in the final minute. Midfielder Nakia Smith got inside the box to get in a shot which goalkeeper Troy Hall saved to preserve a point for the home team.

The visitors had a confident appeal for a penalty ignored by referee Rex Osborne in the 74th minute when top scorer Dennis Robinson went down after a challenge from 'keeper Hall.

With a slight wind at their backs in the first half Village had the better of the opportunities but were either denied by safe handling from Hall or bad finishing. In the first 10 minutes the ball seldom left the St. George's half as Village kept them on the defensive.

Robinson, without a goal since November 20, had a good opportunity to break that lean spell in the fifth minute after a neat back heel by Elliott Jennings sent him into the penalty area for a shot from an angle that was put over the bar.

Five minutes later Hall dived to the right to prevent a tricky shot from Sheldon Franks getting inside the near post. Then Nakia Smith drove low and hard across goal only to watch the cross go through untouched.

Village were enjoying a good spell as St. George's relied on the quick break and the long ball forward which enabled front men Jerome Laws, Herbie Bascome and Ricky Hill to threaten.

Bascome and Hill were drafted into the front line because of injury and suspension to Dean Minors and Clay Smith.

Against the run of play St. George's almost took the lead in the 23rd minute when, from a throw-in, Bascome hooked the ball into the middle and behind the Village defence but Laws following up at the far post just failed to connect as Carlyle Crockwell hurried out of his goal.

St. George's came on strong in the second half and gradually Village picked up their game again with a couple of good chances in the 55th and 56th minutes.

The first fell to Franks who had his shot on an open goal cleared off the line by Andre Todd after 'keeper Hall had challenged Jennings for a cross and was caught out of position at the far post as the ball rolled free to Franks.

Moments later Franks crossed from the left and Sean Dill connected with a free header at the far post which he put back across goal and just past the post.

St. George's came charging back with defender Phillip Bailey getting into the opposing penalty area before Crockwell stole the ball at his feet.

Both teams made just one substitution, St. George's replacing Marlon Outerbridge with Leroy Robinson in the 70th minute and Village bringing on Jamel Smith for Franks in the 89th minute.

Smith had just enough time to force a corner on the left with his first touch, but Osborne blew the whistle for the last time before the corner could be taken.

The draw leaves Village fourth and St. George's fifth, though still on the fringe of the relegation zone.

St. George's: T.Hall; D.Bailey, P.Bailey, Q.Francis, A.Todd, M.Outerbridge (L.Robinson 70 mins), G.Foggo, D.Richardson, J.Laws, R.Hill, H.Bascome.

North Village: C.Crockwell; K.Grant, I.Romaine, C.Roberts, D.Bell, M.Hansey, N.Smith, S.Franks (J.Smith 89 mins), D.Robinson, E.Jennings, S.Dill.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Gregg Foggo (St. George's), Sheldon Franks (Village).