Last season's two promoted teams shared the points from their east-end derby at Devonshire Rec. field as positions remain the same at the bottom of the standings.

A large crowd saw the two teams battle to the 90-minute stalemate as St.

David's created the better of the chances on the night but failed to capitalise.

The islanders, who have enjoyed more success than their neighbours in their first season in the First Division, were full of determination right from the kick-off as they forced two corners in the opening minute.

For much of the first half St. David's held a territorial advantage as Jerome Laws and Kanhai Fray tested the St. George's defence with some good runs.

However, with captain Earl Basden solid in the middle and goalkeeper Troy Hall outstanding, the St. George's defence handled the pressure well.

St. George's had an injury scare in the 26th minute when defender Steven Denbrook fell awkwardly after challenging Laws and injured his shoulder. After further treatment on the sideline he was able to return five minutes later. In his absence St. George's went closest to scoring so far when Greg Foggo curled a free kick just past the near post.

Not long after Denbrook's return, Hall needed treatment after a collision with Laws as both teams continued to show plenty of commitment. In the closing moments of the first half, Hall was off his line to collect a dangerous ball into the box for Laws while at the other end in injury time Dale Fox, who had a quieter first half than Fox, made a desperate save at the near post from a Foggo shot.

Both teams made substitutions in the second half to pep up their attacks with Sean Smith coming on for Garic Swainson on the left side of the St. David's attack in the 52nd minute. In the 70th minute, Patrick White then came on for Del Hollis, who had been booked minutes earlier, as St. George's replaced Del Tyrell with Melvin Simmons at the same time.

William (Apples) Richardson wasted a good chance to break the deadlock for St.

George's in the 59th minute when he was put through on the left by a Jan Cieters pass. But after racing into the box he shot wide of the near post.

St. David's enjoyed a period of sustained pressure after that but could not find the finishing touches as the St. George's defence stood firm.

St. George's started to offer some late resistance with Foggo threatening down Albert Steede's side. Moments after almost getting himself booked for kicking Steede after the ball went out of play, Foggo supplied a cross from an acute angle that 'keeper Fox deflected against the crossbar before the ball was cleared.

Referee Roddy Burchall ignored appeals for a penalty moments later when Richardson tripped in the box as he tried to get on the end of another Foggo cross.

St. David's: D.Fox; A.Steede, C.Richardson, W.Smith, S.Pitcher; G.Dill, D.Hollis (P.White, 70 mins), E.Crockwell; G.Swainson (S.Smith, 52 mins), J.Laws, K.Fray.

St. George's: T.Hall; S.Denbrook, E.Basden, D.Walker, D.Minors; J.Cieters, M.Outerbridge, D.Smith; W.Richardson, D.Tyrell (M.Simmons, 70 mins), G.Foggo.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Garrett Dill (St. David's); Troy Hall (St. George's).

Action switches to PHC Stadium tonight where PHC and Somerset meet in a match that was postponed twice on the weekend. The match starts at 9.00 and will be preceded by the 7.00 contest between Somerset and Boulevard in the Premier Division.

There will be a training session for all Southampton Rangers players at 6.30 p.m. today. Players are reminded to bring their tickets as the Christmas party will follow at 8 p.m.

TROY HALL -- Outstanding.