Fireworks exploded on and off the pitch during this lively -- if scrappy -- affair between 1994 Coca Cola First Division champions Dandy Town and reigning titlists Vasco at St. John's Field yesterday.

Two sendings off and the forced removal of an exuberant spectator marred, but took little away from a deserved victory by the home side as they handed Vasco their first league loss of the season, allowing Town to go from fourth to second in the standings.

It took an 83rd minute winner from the boot of just returned striker Carlos Smith to settle matters in favour of the Hornets, mere moments after a nine-man Vasco side had levelled the score at 2-2.

Before then referee Lyndon Raynor had been the busiest man on the pitch, delivering two red cards and demanding that a spectator, who had approached linesman Kenny Perinchief in a threatening manner following Smith's goal, be taken from the ground.

That followed two other instances where Raynor had cause to show his authority, as he ejected fellow policeman and Vasco midfielder Paul Towlson early in the first half for using foul language and later sent Dwight Basden, another member of the Portuguese club, packing because of a second cautionable offence.

Despite playing a man short Vasco took the lead in the 36th minute as centre-back Shawn Smith ran unchecked into Town's penalty area to get on the end of a right-wing free kick by Trevor Dickinson, burying his header in the left corner.

Town were back on level terms eight minutes later on account of a Darron Simons strike, the forward banging the ball home from close range after goalkeeper Tim Figureido could only parry a fierce drive from Seyoum Tuzo.

Even with a man advantage Town were not able to exert any real dominance on their opponents and it took adversity to finally bring about a change of fortunes.

The introduction in the 77th minute of young Maurice Lowe for the injured Devarr Boyles paid immediate dividends, as four minutes following his taking the pitch Lowe laid on an inch perfect cross for a charging Lionel Furbert to bury past Figureido.

However, the lead lasted but a minute, Vasco equalising through their own substitute, Frankie Simmons, who lobbed a 35 yarder into Anthony Manders' top right corner.

The scene was then set for Smith to finally put the visitors to rest seven minutes from time, sliding his low shot into the left corner as Vasco were slow in clearing a bouncing ball in the penalty area.

"My players really dug deep today and you saw a performance of character,'' said coach Mark Trott, appearing more relieved than anything.

As for what the result meant to his squad, Trott said: "I think for the younger players, in particular, it makes them realise that it can be done. It shows them how in some games you have to fight from the first whistle to the end and that sometimes the game's not going to go the way you want, but it's the team that wants it the most and today, I feel, we wanted it more than Vasco.'' The defeat dropped Vasco to third in the standings, behind first place Southampton and Town. All three, along with fourth placed North Village, are currently locked on nine points after four rounds of matches.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne (A.Manders 69 mins); W.Rudo, L.Furbert, D.Boyles (M.Lowe 77 mins), J.Marshall; K.Martin, S.Tuzo (N.Smith 80 mins), S.Morton, C.Smith; D.Simons, D.Ming.

Vasco: T.Figureido; E.Richardson, S.Smith, T.Dickinson; S.Gibbons (F.Simmons 75 mins), P.Towlson, S.Arorash, I.Burgess; S.Swan, D.Basden, C.Hill.

Men of the match: Devarr Boyles (Dandy Town), Shawn Smith (Vasco).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.