North Village took the Premier Division title race to the wire with victory at BAA Field yesterday -- but they almost threw it all away in a slack last four minutes.

The Red Devils were cruising with a 4-1 lead with five minutes to go, but two Vasco goals in three minutes by Kuma Smith and Keith Jennings reduced the deficit to one.

Agitated Village coach Kenny Thompson spent the last two minutes urging his players to regain their discipline and although there were no further near misses, it was a nail-biting finale.

"We played very well for most of the match but in the last five minutes, we lost our concentration,'' said Thompson.

"I'm a little disappointed with conceding the two goals right at the end, but we got the three points and at this time, that's what matters most.

"Now we've just got to hope PHC drop a couple of points in the last game and that we win.'' Vasco, who went into the match with an outside chance of relegation, went ahead in only the second minute. Art Tyrell fired in a volley from 20 yards which young goalkeeper Zane Hendrickson tried to tip over the bar, but he only succeeded in pushing it out to Sinclair Gibbons who tapped into the net.

If Village were rocked, they didn't show it and within 13 minutes they were in front.

First, Tafari Outerbridge struck home a confident penalty to level the scores in the sixth minute after Kevin Jennings had been upended in the box.

And then, a fine run and right-wing cross by Sergio Goater in the 15th minute set up Kevin Jennings, who rifled home from 10 yards to put Village 2-1 ahead.

National team stalwart Kentoine Jennings had started on the bench because of missing training during the week through work commitments, but he was thrown into the action after just 26 minutes when right full back Nailon Dill was carried off with a twisted ankle.

And it was Kentoine Jennings who set up Village's third goal, 12 minutes after half-time. The defender rose high to head Neil Robinson's corner goalwards and Outerbridge reacted quickly to send a flick header into the net to claim his second.

Four minutes later, Village appeared to have killed off Vasco with their fourth goal. Kevin Jennings made a strong run down the left flank and rolled the ball to substitute Tarik Jennings whose side-footed finish flew into the roof of the net. Thompson and Scott Morton on the Village bench were jumping for joy.

With Village passing the ball around nicely and playing Vasco off the park, their delight seemed well founded.

Substitute Damon Wade twice went close as Village continued to press, but they let their level slip noticeably as the final whistle approached and it almost cost them dear.

Kuma Smith beat Hendrickson to a near post cross by Jermaine Belboda in the 86th minute to head in Vasco's second goal.

When Keith Jennings curled a 25-yard beauty into the top left-hand corner two minutes later to make it 4-3, the tension was plain to see.

"I was pleased with our response after we went behind so early and it was a bad goal to give away,'' said Thompson.

Vasco: T.Figureido, D.Stapley (D.Sharrieff 62 mins), W.Augustus, J.Belboda, K.Smith, K.Burchall, Kei.Jennings, C.Roberts, A.Tyrell, S.Gibbons, J.Smith (I.Burgess 58 mins).

Village: Z.Hendrickson, N.Dill (Ken.Jennings 26 mins), M.Hansey, K.Dill, K.Binns, N.Robinson, S.Goater (T.Jennings 45 mins), J.Boyles, T.Outerbridge (D.Wade 75 mins), D.Warren, Kev.Jennings.

Men of the match: Kuma Smith (Vasco); Kofi Dill (Village).

Yellow cards: J.Smith, Kei.Jennings, J.Belboda (Vasco); N.Robinson, Kev.Jennings (Village).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Brought down to earth: North Village midfielder Jamaul Boyles (left) is sent flying by this slide tackle from Vasco's Keith Jennings at BAA Field yesterday. Village won 2-1 to keep their title hopes alive.