League champions Somerset continued their downward spiral, while Dandy Town stayed aboard the crest of success as the latter made light work of the west-enders at St. John's field yesterday.

The ideal picture of two sides marching in opposite directions witnessed Town record their fifth consecutive triumph and handing the Trojans their sixth loss in eight matches.

Somerset have not won since downing Vasco 3-0 on November 28 and are floundering in the lower reaches of the division, while Town are in the thick of the championship race.

Carlos Smith and Jeffrey Butterfield emerged as the latest heroes for the home team, each notching first-half strikes that put paid to the visitors' challenge.

Although the standard barely rose above average and presented few entertaining moments, Town were clearly a cut above opponents lacking in ideas and direction.

Utilising slow, deliberate build-ups and wing play, Town were able to stretch Somerset and create numerous openings.

Conversely, Somerset never appeared to have a specific script, resorting to `kick and hope' tactics, which rarely bothered a rugged Hornet defence led by Troy Durham.

Butterfield, in all his girth, was the perfect foil for Smith, lending a finesse aspect to the raw speed and power of his team-mate.

A sign of the times came early for Somerset when midfielder Duval Binns had to be stretchered off in the 11th minute and spent 15 minutes on the sidelines receiving treatment before returning.

In the 29th minute, Town came close to opening the scoring when Smith sprung free on the right and scorched in a cross that scaled the face of the goal, just eluding the outstretched boot of team-mate Don Lewis.

There would be no mistake two minutes later when the deadlock was broken by Butterfield in supreme fashion.

A partial clearance of a Town free kick on the left had the ball land back at the feet of Butterfield, who responded with a angled left-foot drive, which tore into the back of the net past a maze of players, including Somerset goalkeeper Cordell Gilbert.

Barely had the thought of that blast settled in the minds of Somerset when Smith popped up to increase the deficit as his long-range shot saw the ball bounce awkwardly past Gilbert's flailing arms.

A similar scenario took place in the second half as Somerset were never allowed into the match. A late tally by substitute Steval Arorash heightened the hopes of a draw, but this proved a mere facade.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; L.Christopher, W.Campbell, T.Durham, W.Rudo; D.Boyles, T.Harvey (L.Furbert, 66 mins), D.Lewis; J.Butterfield (D.Simons, 78 mins), M.Wells, C.Smith.

Somerset: C.Gilbert; G.Cann, L.Simmons, P.Place, D.DeRosa (S.Arorash, 78 mins); D.Binns, R.Simmons, R.Tucker; C.Anderson (F.Simmons, 63 mins), R.Bascome, R.Scott.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Carlos Smith (Dandy Town); Reggie Tucker (Somerset).