Ascento Russell struck against his former team midway through the first half and the goal was enough to take Vasco into the semi-finals of the Friendship last night at Devonshire Rec.

Despite dominating the second half, Town were made to pay dearly for Darron Simons' penalty miss as Vasco soaked up the pressure and held on.

The deadlock was broken in this fast-paced game in the 21st minute when fullback Carl Shearman laid off the ball to Sammy Swan on the right side of the box. The striker's low hard cross was tucked in by Russell.

Two of Town's best efforts before the break came from a long range shot from Jomar Wilkinson and then a low shot from midfielder Paul Cann which just missed the near post.

After Vasco's Clay Smith missed with a free header from an Ottis Steede cross minutes after the restart, Town got moving again and dominated the match after that as Vasco, without a few starters, were pinned in their own half for long periods.

Town thought they had the equaliser in the 61st minute when Reggie Tucker's cross into the box was handled by defender Paul Towlson who argued referee Lyndon Raynor's call. However, goalkeeper Timmy Figureido judged correctly and moved to his left to save Simons' spot-kick.

Figureido made another important save a minute later as town kept on the pressure. Against the run of play Russell blasted well over the bar from the edge of the box.

A hard shot from substitute Chris Anderson in the closing minutes caused Figureido some problems before he saved.

Vasco: T.Figureido; C.Shearman, Kent.Jennings, P.Towlson, B.Bruce; M.Wade, O.Steede, T.Darrell, A.Russell, S.Swan (T.Caisey 84min), C.Smith (Kei.Jennings 62min).

Town: A.Lightbourne; J.Marshall, D.Boyles (C.Anderson 75min), T.Lewis (H.Wolffe 68min), D.Bailey; J.Wilkinson, L.Furbert, K.Martin (S.Tuzo 38min), P.Cann, D.Simons, R.Tucker.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Timmy Figureido (Vasco), Reggie Tucker (Town).

St. George's 2 Prospect 1 (after extra time) Prospect, last year's beaten finalist, were knocked out of the Shield competition as St. George's pulled off a shock to reach the semi-finals.

The east enders took the lead in the 47th minute through Everest Trott before Prospect missed a penalty minutes later when Lawrence Smith side-footed his spot-kick over the bar.

Prospect applied relentless pressure as Durrant made some important saves. The equaliser came in the 70th minute when Smith made amends by scoring from a cross.

Just second before the final whistle Garic Swainson came close to scoring the winner when he lifted his close range shot against the St. George's crossbar.

St. George's sealed victory with an Andrew Richardson freekick five minutes from the end of the second period of extra time.