Vasco scored their third win over St. George's in three weeks last night at Somerset to earn the right to meet Dandy Town in the April 3 Friendship Trophy final.

The east enders dug deep in a bid to halt their worst slump of the season but in the end their spirited performance was still not enough as Vasco scored with a late winner.

The scoreline marked two firsts for St. George's this season -- the first time they have scored and lost and the first time they have conceded three goals in a match since last Valentine's Day.

There certainly can be argument about the quality of the goals last night, as all five were smartly taken.

The scoring began in the 11th minute after St. George's had won their first corner.

It was taken on the left by Darrin Walker and after Franklyn Greaves back-heeled at the near post, fullback Dean Bailey smashed a close range shot into the near top corner.

That goal awoke Vasco who stepped up their game only to see Hall in the St.

George's goal deny them with some important saves and interceptions as the Vasco front line started to click. Vasco had Karl Roberts warming up as early as the 29th minute and he was to eventually replace a not-too-happy Antonio Cabral in the 35th minute.

But they had to wait until the second half to find the equaliser -- though not very long -- as two goals by Voorhees Astwood in the space of eight minutes tilted the contest firmly in their favour.

Astwood equalised in the 46th minute when a right foot volley dropped into the far top corner to catch Hall off his line. Then in the 54th minute he scored with his left foot from a freekick on the edge of the box, the ball getting past the wall and finding the bottom far corner of Hall's goal.

Vasco threatened to blow the game wide open after that as St. Geroge's started to lose their edge.

St. George's came back into the game in the 66th minute via the penalty spot after Donovan Livingston handled a cross from the left.

Hall ran the length of the pitch to take the spotkick -- and three teammates moved into defensive positions in their own half just in case -- but the keeper made no mistake, blasting his effort in off the underside of the crossbar.

The goal lifted St. George's again but Vasco were to deal the final blow six minutes from time when Astwood crossed from the left, the ball was laid on for Roberts and he drove in a low shot neatly inside the post to settle the issue.

St. George's: T.Hall; D.Bailey, F.Greaves, P.Bailey, A.Todd; D.Richardson, M.Outerbridge D.Walker (M.Simmons 87min), C.Greaves, D.Whitfield, G.Foggo (W.Richardson 62min).

Vasco: K.Tucker; E.Richardson, D.Livingston, P.Towlson, C.Lloyd; C.Ainscough, V.Astwood, L.Durham, R.Mallory, I.Burgess, A.Cabral (K.Roberts 35min).

Referee: Peter Sousa.

Men of match: Franklyn Greaves (St. George's), Voorhees Astwood (Vasco).

BAA 3, Port Port 1 BAA earned the right to defend their Second Division Shield title in the final against Devonshire Cougars as they allayed the challenge of a game, but unfortunate Port Royal outfit in the curtain-raiser.

First half goals by Paul Franco and Mike Richardson, together with a late strike by centre-back Norman Correia served as the final death knell for Port Royal, whose lone tally came from Michael Bean.

The first half saw BAA attempting to assert early pressure on their opponents but finding them to be quite formidable.

Franco struck first in the eighth minute with a well-taken effort and it appeared as if BAA might be on the verge of a goal rush.

However, Port Royal equalised 12 minutes later through Bean Bean.

BAA regained the lead in the 30th minute when Richardson struck after being given room to roam. Port Royal held a territorial advantage in the second half but could not capitalise.

BAA were reduced to 10 men when Franco was sent off by referee Roddy Burchall for using profanities to protest an infringement.

Still, it was 10-man BAA who laid any doubts to rest as Correia surged forward on a set piece on the left and after his initial header was blocked the burly defender scored past Paul Hayward at the second attempt.