Christmas may be 23 days away, but the fact was lost on the two goalkeepers involved in yesterday's First Division clash between Dandy Town and North Village at Bernard Park.

Both teams owed their goals to charity offered by Nyon Steede and Cymande Davis, as blunders by each punctuated this fast-paced affair that ended in stalemate.

Steede, starting in the absence of first stringer and newlywed Dwayne Adams, appeared shaky from the outset, mishandling on more than one occasion early in the first half without punishment.

However, Town made him pay in the 41st minute as Steede let a Carlos Smith free kick slip from his grasp inside the six-yard box, allowing Darron Simons in for his 10th goal of the season.

It was just reward for Town, who totally dominated the home side for much of the opening half, Smith in particular causing severe problems, his blazing speed serving to stretch a rag-tag Village defence missing sweeper Derek Bell.

But those who thought the goal to be the beginning of the end for Village would soon be proved wrong.

Indeed, the advantage lasted scarcely three minutes, as Davis took on the role of a gift-giving `Santa'.

Village won a free kick deep on the left side of the pitch near midfield and Davis appeared to have secured Kevin Jennings' curling kick at the far post, but to his -- and the rest of the Town players' -- horror had the ball escape his clutches and land in the back of the net.

The second half started with Town again holding the upper hand, but Village gradually found their way and seized control for much of the final half hour as Jennings, Irving Romaine and Nakia Smith each tested Davis.

Town, limited to scarce counter-attacks, grew tentative and in the end were lucky to escape with a share of the spoils.

The draw allowed Town to maintain third place in the standings with 14 points and stay on course for a Dudley Eve berth, while Village (12 points) remain sixth and will need a win and outside help if they are to qualify.

North Village: N.Steede; K.Grant, I.Romaine, M.Hansey, A.Simons; N.Smith, L.Raynor, R.Spence; R.Wilson (J.Smith 51 mins), K.Jennings, S.Dill.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; J.Marshall, W.Rudo, L.Furbert, L.Christopher; T.Lewis, R.Tucker, W.Musson (N.Smith 87 mins), K.Martin; D.Simons, C.Smith (L.Simmons 76 mins).

Men of the match: North Village -- Irving Romaine; Dandy Town -- Reggie Tucker.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.