A piece of magic from Jamel Smith late in the first half kept North Village's title hopes alive on Saturday night at BAA Field.

True, the official scorer was Elliott Jennings on 42 minutes, but it was Smith's powerful run that started from the half-way line and saw off five challenges including goalkeeper Troy Hall's, which set the table.

The veteran forward needed only to stroke the ball home from a yard out, and it was just as well given he had earlier made a mess of the only other clear-cut chance of a hectic match.

On this form, Devonshire Colts will not be called champions for very much longer. They were bereft of opportunities to bother Village goalkeeper Gladwin Edness and must have compounded their fans' frustration by substituting the chief threat to the Red Devils defence, Sullivan Phillips.

Colts had the first two chances of the match but it is significant that they were presented to them by an uneasy Village defence. First, Phillips hammered a left-foot shot wide from an angle and then Edness kept Keishon Smith out with an outstretched right leg.

On their first real attacking move in the 19th minute, Village should have scored when Jemeiko Jennings neatly picked out uncle Elliott. Clear in on goal, the senior Jennings waited for Troy Hall to spread himself but still shot low and was denied.

Meanwhile, the lanky Phillips continued to impress up front for Colts with his close control and willingness to shoot on sight.

Phillips had left and right-foot volleys go over before Village came back to have a goal-bound Kevin Jennings header cleared off the line by Keenan Burchall.

That would prove to be Burchall's most significant contribution as he was to be replaced after 34 minutes with a recurring knee injury.

Colts' Keishon Smith headed over the bar in the 38th minute and then in the next action Village scored, taking even the sparse crowd by surprise.

Jamel Smith received a cross-field ball just inside his own half and actually misplayed his flick before running on and trying his hand against all comers.

Once Colts realised the danger, it was too late. It would have been poetic justice had Jennings allowed the ball into the net untouched, but with a defender close on his heels he took no chances for his fifth goal of the season.

Colts dominated the possession in the second half but, indicative of their problems in front of net, Edness had not one shot to save.

Village, in fact, had the best chance, created in the 73rd minute by another incisive Jemeiko Jennings pass, but Kevin Jennings snatched at the effort and side-footed wide.

Colts substitute Keimon Lawrence threatened briefly on the left, his penetrative cross with 15 minutes remaining resulting in two Colts having shots charged down. And a minute later, he attempted a blast from 35 yards, which started hopefully but passed the right upright.

The indirect sign of surrender came with 13 minutes left when Colts replaced the menacing Phillips with veteran Darrin Lewis.

Village's defending at times reached panic stage as Colts, mostly led by Sekai Waldron, launched attack after attack. But Village stuck to the task, put a foot or a head in here and there and emerged with three useful points.

Devonshire Colts: T.Hall; Jermel Belboda, M.Hollis, D.Wright, Jermaine Belboda; K.Smith, V.Ball, K.Burchall (O.Butterfield, 34 mins), S.Waldron; T.Smith (K.Lawrence, 63 mins), S.Phillips (D.Lewis, 77 mins).

North Village: G.Edness; D.Whitfield, M.Hansey, K.Dill; C.Dill (J.Samuels, 90 mins), D.Jennings, E.Jennings (L.Cann, 62 mins), J.Boyles; J.Smith (I.Romaine, 79 mins), J.Jennings, K.Jennings.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Sullivan Phillips (Devonshire Colts); Jamel Smith (North Village).

Mary Ellen Jackson scored in the 15th minute to lead BAA Royals to a 1-0 upset victory over Wolves Girls in the Saturday night opener.