North Village slumped yesterday to a dismal draw in a game marred by fierce controversy.

The Red Devils got off to a dream start with a goal in the opening minute by their frontman Maceo Dill.

But the high hopes proved ill-founded as they let the game drift away from them in the second half.

First, midfielder Clinton Caisey was shown the red card by referee Gregory Belboda in the 61st minute.

Caisey, always a fierce competitor, was given his marching orders for allegedly deliberately kicking from behind.

It was a decision, which brought howls of protests from his colleagues and the vocal fans at the Bernard Park stadium.

And then 14 minutes later, disaster struck when St. George's striker Sinclair Smith was adjudged to have been felled in the penalty area.

Belboda had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

It was left to Clay Smith's trusted left foot to send the ball rocketing into the back of the net, leaving Dwayne Adams no chance.

There was no return for North Village as they ended the game angry and bewildered.

The players and coaches locked themselves away afterwards for a lengthy post-mortem.

It had all promised to be so different at the outset when Dill darted through the St. George's defence to slot the ball sweetly to the left of Troy Hall from around eight yards.

Buoyed on by the goal, the Red Devils quickly took control and made regular forays into their opponents' half.

In the sixth minute, Elliott Jennings would have been disappointed with himself when he blasted the ball over Hall's goal from 12 yards.

Caisey, often at the thick of things, had Hall at full stretch when he charged in from the left flank and unleashed a low shot.

Paul Simmons, too, carved open an opportunity for himself after weaving through the St. George's defenders.

And in the 27th minute, Elliott Jennings grazed the bar from around eight yards out with an acrobatic hook.

But the early promise proved but a mirage when Caisey was sent for an early shower.

North Village lost their way, and the penalty was the final straw.

North Village: D.Adams, K.Grant, M.Hansey, K.Binns, R.Edness (W.Augustus, 71 mins), K.Jennings, E.Jennings, C.Caisey, S.Dill, M.Dill, P.Simmons (S.Coddington, 67 mins).

St. George's: T.Hall, A.Todd, S.Denbrook, E.Basden (P.Fubler, 45 mins), P.Bailey, M.Outerbridge, J.Cieters, C.Smith, D.Smith (D.Tyrell, 78 mins), G.Foggo, S.Smith.

Referee: Gregory Belboda.

Men of the match: Maceo Dill (North Village); P.Fubler (St. George's).