Boulevard missed the chance to go three points clear at the top of the Coca Cola First Division when 10-man Vasco equalised two minutes from the end of this clash at soggy St. David's yesterday.

This match was full of drama as Vasco twice took the lead and then looked headed for only their second league loss of the season as Boulevard snatched the lead for the first time in the 73rd minute.

That goal followed a hotly disputed equaliser six minutes earlier when substitute Kenny Hill scored from close range.

Vasco players pleaded for a handball as they raced over to referee's assistant George O'Brien. Kentoine Jennings took his protests a little too far and was sent off by referee Stuart Crockwell for swearing at O'Brien as he pointed an accusing finger at the official.

It was another four minutes before the match resumed as Crockwell refused to restart the game until Jennings had moved away from the playing area.

"He continued to stand in the same area of my referee's assistant and shout comments at him,'' said Crockwell afterwards. He confirmed that both Jennings and trainer Ronue Cann would be mentioned in his report to the Bermuda Football Association.

Within a minute of the game restarting, Boulevard hit Vasco with a third goal to lead 3-2. A well worked moved on the left side involved Dwight Warren who laid the ball back for Neil Robinson to blast homer.

Vasco came close to equalising five minutes after that when Andre Hendrickson in the Boulevard goal dropped a free kick from Clay Smith but snatched the ball at the second attempt on the goal-line as Ascento Russell pounced.

Despite being a man short, Vasco still threatened and two minutes from the end they earned their second straight draw when substitute Dwight Basden scored from close range after a move on the left involving Sinclair Gibbons and Clay Smith.

This match between the first and second-placed teams produced two goals in the first 12 minutes. Vasco took the lead when a header from Clay Smith found the back of the net but four minutes later it was all even. Vasco's Sinclair Gibbons knocked a ball into the path of Boulevard's Rodney Bascome on the right side and his firm shot towards the far post was turned in by Warren.

Veteran striker Sammy Swan wasted a good chance to make it 2-1 in the 52nd minute when he sidefooted straight to Hendrickson from six yards after a cross from the right left him free.

But Swan made amends two minutes later by firing into the far bottom corner after racing into the box on the right side. Swan was injured in the process and replaced a minute later by Basden.

In fact, all three subs were as a result of injuries, as Kenny Hill came on for Tafari Outerbridge in the 63rd minute and Tillman Darrell replaced Ottis Steede just before the half.

Vasco were without midfielders Voorhees Astwood and Meshach Wade, the latter being sought by Bermuda Regiment officials who showed up at the game.

Boulevard: A.Hendrickson; D.Boyles, D.Charles, L.Stevens, A.Caisey, R.Todd, L.Hypolite, T.Outerbridge (K.Hill 63 mins), R.Bascome, D.Warren, N.Robinson.

Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, Kent.Jennings, P.Towlson, E.Richardson, S.Gibbons, O.Steede (T.Darrell 41 mins), Kei.Jennings, S.Swan (D.Basden 56 mins), C.Smith, A.Russell.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Dwight Warren (Boulevard), Clay Smith (Vasco).