The equation seemed so simple.

A healthy Vasco would march onto the pitch at PHC Stadium, play with Devonshire Cougars for a while and then simply execute their opponents and leave them for dead.

One problem. No one relayed that script to Cougars.

The Devonshire club silenced the naysayers who figured them to be overmatched against the league champions, notching a much deserved 1-1 draw in this Coca Cola First Division clash last night which could quite easily have been a win.

Sure, Vasco were dominant for vast stretches, but Cougars proved no pushovers, using the `bend but don't break' theory to full effect.

Vasco opened with a flurry, attacking early and often and looking quite fluid with their build ups. However, they were constantly let down by poor finishing.

And just when they finally were able to convert, Cougars roared right back.

Sammy Swan, who had enough chances to bury Cougars single-handed, came good 36 minutes on as he and Irving Burgess dissected the defence with three short passes in traffic, Swan applying the finishing touch in forcing the ball inside the low, right corner.

Barely had the cheers died when Devon Brangman thundered home a low drive following a neatly executed corner, Phillip Clarke laying the ball perfectly for Brangman to run on to.

The second half followed a similar pattern -- absent the goals -- as Vasco created the more clear cut chances and wasted all, but were also fortunate to avoid the upset as Cougars launched more than a few of their own.

YMSC 5 Hamilton Parish 2 Even with just 10 men Social Club proved too much for hapless Hamilton Parish as the Bluebirds vaulted from fifth to third in the Second Division.

Leading via a 22nd minute strike from veteran Larry Darrell, Social Club lost goalkeeper Treadwell Walker to a 25th minute red card for a professional foul and the outlook appeared gloomy.

Yet it was Social Club who surged further ahead in the 30th minute as Shawn Laws tallied before Parish came back to level matters with scores in the 33rd and 44th minutes from Trinn and Dalton Burgess.

Fortunes turned decidedly in favour of the back of town club once Michael Richardson converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Substitute 'keeper Shejuan Swan added insurance, drifting forward but having the move pay dividends as he unleashed a rasping drive that found the back of the net 10 minutes following the break. Laws closed the affair with a well taken effort six minutes from time.