A 40th-minute strike from centre-half Neil Paynter broke Vasco's back at PHC Stadium yesterday and gave visiting St. George's their second win of the season.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Vasco as they controlled the first half of play with crisp passing and fine running off the ball. However, poor finishing, combined with magnificient goalkeeping by St. George's Troy Hall, led to Vasco's ultimate demise.

Vasco maintained the pressure but were kept at bay by a stubborn and tenacious St. George's defence, which thus far in the season, has conceded the fewest amount of goals.

St. George's gave a good display of soccer as they sprayed the ball to both sides of the pitch. Gregory Foggo was a thorn in Vasco's side as he made many fine runs and provided deep crosses from the wing that gave Vasco problems.

In the 18th minute, Coolridge Bell floated in a corner that found the head of Colin Lloyd. His screaming header was just punched over by the ever-alert Hall.

Sensing the inevitable, Vasco sustained the pressure. Unfortunately, for them and many of their faithful in attendance, they were unable to convert any of the opportunities presented them.

Lady Luck must have been smiling on St. George's when they scored in the 40th minute. Paynter, standing just inside the 18-yard box was the recipient of a corner kick, which the Vasco defence failed to clear.

The Bermuda international turned sharply on the ball and his blast eluded a sea of bodies before finding its way inside the right upright.

Vasco, no doubt feeling the urgency to score, started the second half as they did the first and met with the same results. Several opportunities went begging as balls went dangerously close to finding the back of the net.

One could sense the desperation in Vasco's demeanour as coach Danny Seymour and Dennis Brown could be heard screaming at one another across the pitch.

Clearly, Vasco were beginning to lose some of their composure and it may have had an impact on their approach as errant passes and defensive indecision took them out of their earlier rhythm.

In the 72nd minute, Vasco's Larance Durham latched onto the ball near the penalty spot after a blocked shot. However, his rushed attempt was blasted wide in perhaps Vasco's best scoring opportunity of the afternoon.

In the dying minutes of the game, Brown left his defensive position to aid in the attack. This move paid some dividends, though it did leave them exposed at the back as St. George's began making more daring runs at the Vasco defence.

Vasco: K.Tucker, C.Ainscough (A.Cabral, 71 mins), K.Roberts, D.Brown, C.Lloyd, E.Richardson, V.Astwood, L.Durham, C.Bell (J.Cunha, 45 mins) I.Burgess, R.Mallory.

St. George's: T.Hall, D.Bailey, N.Paynter, F.Greaves, A.Todd, D.Richardson, M.Outerbridge, K.Smith (D.Tyrell 73 mins), G.Foggo, S.Gibbons, M.Simmons (W.Richardson, 76 mins).

Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Irving Burgess (Vasco); Troy Hall (St.George's).