North Village moved to within a point of the lead in the First Division with this convincing and comprehensive win over Vasco da Gama at PHC Stadium yesterday.

Before the early drizzle became, after 20 minutes, the torrential downpour which was to last the remainder of the afternoon, the match was evenly balanced, if scrappy.

Vasco struggled to break through the three-man North Village midfield, while the Red Devils took control of midfield and were able to approach the Vasco penalty box almost at will, but without being able to seriously threaten goalkeeper Timmy Figureido.

With half an hour gone, a goalless draw looked the likeliest outcome as neither team seemed able to come to grips with the conditions.

Then, suddenly, the match slipped into high gear.

First, Mark Ray of Vasco was shown the yellow card in the 34th minute for needless dissent. A few minutes later, his team-mate Karl Roberts joined him in referee Cal Simons' book for a foul on the league's leading scorer, Dennis Robinson.

Moments later, Robinson had his revenge when Nakia Smith, always busy, ran the ball up the right wing to the edge of the penalty box. His cross found Robinson, who spun to drive home a first-time shot, which separated the teams at half-time.

The outcome of the game was settled within six minutes of the restart when Elliott Jennings picked up the ball just inside the Vasco half, outran his marker and scored with a shot in the air from 25 yards out which gave 'keeper Figureido, who had come forward to narrow the angle, no chance.

North Village then dominated the second half in impressive fashion.

With the Devils' Robinson, Kevin Jennings, Arthur Simons and Nakia Smith pressing forward hungrily whenever the chance arose, a third goal seemed inevitable. Yet when it came, 17 minutes into the half, it arose in a most unusual fashion.

A long clearance from North Village 'keeper Carlyle Crockwell soared past the half-way line and took a mighty bounce over the heads of three players who had positioned themselves to receive it.

A second bounce went past the last line of the Vasco defence, and before Figureido could reach the front edge of his box, Elliott Jennings was there to apply the final touch to send the ball flying into the back of the Vasco net for his second goal of the game.

Three up with half an hour to play, the Devils continued to press, but although the Vasco players seemed tired and dispirited, they held on to deny Village the "one more goal'' their sodden supporters were calling for.

The balance of the match was distinguished only by two further yellow cards.

Vasco substitute Kevin Simmons let his fresh energy get the better of him soon after arriving, and was booked for ungentlemanly conduct at the mid-point of the second half.

Kevin Jennings of North Village made it a quartet of yellow cards on the day by arguing with the referee over a free kick with just a few minutes remaining in the game.

If the North Village midfield can reproduce the dominance they displayed throughout the rest of the season, they will be there or thereabouts when the championship is decided.

Vasco : T.Figureido, D.Stapley, D.Livingston, P.Towlson, K.Roberts, W.Burgess, Ken.Jennings, M.Ray, I.Burgess (K.Simmons 59 mins), D.Basden, V.Astwood.

North Village : C.Crockwell, K.Grant, A.Simons, D.Bell, C.Roberts, K.Simons, C.Sabair, N.Smith, Kev.Jennings, E.Jennings, D.Robinson (S.Dill 79 mins).

Referee : Cal Simons.

Men of the Match : Walton Burgess (Vasco); Kevin Jennings (North Village).