Vasco sent St. George's crashing back to the Second Division yesterday when three goals in the final seven minutes at Wellington Oval confirmed another heavy defeat for the home team.

The win lifted Vasco back into second place in the standings, six points behind leaders Devonshire Colts but with a game in hand. That match will be played tomorrow night against third-placed Dandy Town.

The East Enders held their own for the first 20 minutes but once Vasco broke the deadlock with the first of Voorhees Astwood's two goals, the match went according to expectations as Vasco struck three times in the space of 13 minutes before the break.

Even without the likes of Kentoine Jennings, Irving Burgess and Corey Hill -- and without playing to their full potential -- Vasco were still too good for their opponents who are still yet to win this season.

St. George's looked only a shadow of the team which finished third in the league last season and won the Friendship Trophy. Now they must try to rejuvenate their programme in the Second Division next season.

An injury to veteran goalkeeper Gregory Smith created the opportunity for Bantam player Tarik Forster to make his debut for St. George's. The 15-year-old held his own early on but Vasco finally broke through in the 22nd minute when Astwood's curling shot from the left corner of the penalty box went in at the near post.

Five minutes later full back Earl Richardson scored the first of his two goals, playing a part in the build-up and then getting into the box to score with a shot into the far bottom corner.

Veteran striker Sammy Swan laid on the third in the 35th minute with a good move down the right. His shot was parried by Forster and Astwood followed up at the far post to sidefoot an easy goal.

Forster brought off a good save in the final minute of the half to keep Swan's low shot from finding the bottom corner.

Unlike their last outing when they scored two late goals to draw with North Village, St. George's hardly threatened the three-goal lead Vasco held. After a good start to the second half Vasco eventually went flat themselves.

Two minutes after the restart midfielder Derek Stapley smashed a shot against the bar before Forster saved the rebound from Frankie Simmons.

St. George's had a rare chance at the other end when Sinclair Smith met Gary Tucker's free kick at the far post but put his effort wide. Vasco substitute Alex DaCosta put a shot against a post just two minutes after coming on for Dwight Basden in the 80th minute.

In quick time a 3-0 defeat was turned into a 6-0 rout as Vasco brought the match to a close with three late goals. Richardson scored his second of the match in the 83rd minute when his low shot hit the body of the diving Forster and bounced into goal.

Then in the 88th minute Richardson provided the cross from the left and Swan, under a challenge, scrambled the ball over the line at the far post. With the last kick of the game defender Paul Towlson got on the scoresheet when he met DaCosta's corner on the right and headed the ball inside the far post.

St. George's: T.Forster; K.Moreno (R.Steede 65 mins), Q.Francis, N.Paynter, D.Bailey, M.Outerbridge, D.Walker, G.Tucker (F.Richardson 74 mins), S.Smith, C.Simmons (D.Whitfield 65 mins), D.Wright.

Vasco: T.Figureido; T.Dickinson, P.Towlson, S.Smith, E.Richardson, D.Stapley, V.Astwood, S.Arorash (D.Livingston 70 mins), D.Basden (A.DaCosta 80 mins), S.Swan, F.Simmons (T.Caisey 67 mins).

Referee: George O'Brien Men of match: Quinton Francis (St.George's), Derek Stapley (Vasco).

Southampton 1 Dandy Town 1 An own goal by Pernell Brangman eight minutes from the end salvaged a point for title-chasing Dandy Town at Southampton Oval.

However, the draw enabled leaders Devonshire Colts to extend their lead to seven points over Town who also slipped to third in the standings behind Vasco.

Eugene Pitt scored a cracking goal in the 32nd minute to give Rangers the lead, running through on the right and cutting in before hitting a shot into the far top corner.

Rangers eventually lost the lead in the 82nd minute when Brangman, in an attempted clearance, sliced the ball into his own goal. Goalkeeper Randy Darrell did get his fingers to the ball in his attempt to keep it out.

Darrell was outstanding for Rangers as Town created a number of chances.