Quality strikes from Paul Cann and Lionel Cann gave Dandy Town a hard-fought victory over Hamilton Parish at St. John's field yesterday.

Parish, led in attack by Corey Hill and goal-scorer Irving Burgess, put forth a spirited attempt but the result only pushes them closer to the Second Division.

After falling behind early in the second half, Town stepped up the pace and ran their visitors ragged with the strike pair of Lionel Cann and Dennis Robinson running tirelessly up front and Paul Cann a force from behind.

Town looked like they would be frustrated by a defence that was run well by Dalton Burgess with right-back John Nichol outstanding.

But Paul Cann's 64th-minute equaliser turned the game. He collected the ball some 30 yards out on the right, advanced a few paces and struck a firm shot with the outside of the right boot that curled just inside the diving Detroy Smith's far post.

Seven minutes later with Town still pressing Lionel Cann beat an unsighted Smith with a first-time shot that went in at the near post after Walter Musson did well to beat Phillion Webb.

Parish can feel hard done by to walk away with nothing after matching Town for long periods on a chilly day that was only warmed by the intensity of some of the tackles.

Nichol made a few crucial interceptions to keep Town at bay while Irving Burgess and Hill were a constant bother to the home defence. Town's first shot on goal came after 10 minutes when Robinson's deflected effort was collected by Smith.

Nichol made a rare error after 17 minutes and Robinson turned the ball inside to Paul Cann who took too long to settle and saw his shot charged down by Burgess.

Parish 'keeper Smith was busy for a while after as he punched clear from Lionel Cann after 24 minutes and seconds later advanced quickly to force the same player to shoot wide.

Town dominated the latter stages of the first half with Robinson heading over, Lionel Cann dispossessed inside 10 yards and Robinson again heading wide.

But Parish gave a sign of what was to come as Hill and Irving Burgess combined well with the latter shooting wide on an angle.

The second half was two minutes old when Parish took the lead. Hill fought off Wylie Rudo and crossed behind the defence for Burgess who deftly lobbed young 'keeper Ricky Tucker.

This setback stung Town into action yet they should have gone two down when Irving Burgess sent Antwon Darrell clear; but the forward struck a low drive narrowly wide.

Parish survived a raid instigated by Paul Cann before that same player pulled something out of the hat to draw Town level.

Parish clearly lost their shape after this and a number of their players were beginning to smart from the hectic pace, which Town's quartet of Robinson, Devarr Boyles and the two Canns clearly enjoyed.

The winner appeared imminent and no less than Lionel Cann deserved for his hard day's work. Dandy Town: R.Tucker; L.Furbert, W.Campbell, L.Christopher, W.Rudo; W.Musson, D.Boyles, G.Johnson (K.Martin, 70 mins), P.Cann; D.Robinson (C.Smith, 75 mins), L.Cann.

Hamilton Parish: D.Smith; S.Gibbons, D.Burgess, C.Caisey (Q.Outerbridge, 89 mins), J.Nichol; Z.Stowe, K.Simons, P.Webb; C.Hill, I.Burgess, A.Darrell.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Dennis Robinson (Dandy Town); John Nichol (Hamilton Parish).

PAUL CANN -- Stunning equaliser.