St. George's 0 St. David's 0 Veteran goalkeeper Gregory Smith kept the first clean sheet for St. George's this season when he made a spectacular save deep into injury time at Wellington Oval to give Colts their first point in this Coca Cola First Division clash at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Smith's save possibly averted an ugly situation at the end as referee Stuart Crockwell, a former St. David's secretary, was confronted by several St.

George's fans after the final whistle.

The spectators were angry over Crockwell's handling of the match and his decision to allow six minutes of stoppage time to be played in the second half.

And the ref had to be escorted off the field afterwards by club officials.

But not even that additional time, as well as playing against short-handed St.

George's, could make a difference as Colts produced a performance that earned much applause from their supporters at the final whistle. After conceding 23 goals already this season, a 0-0 draw was considered a major achievement for the Friendship Trophy champions who were dethroned by St. David's in midweek.

"What they need is some direction,'' said Smith, at 42 the oldest player in the First Division and the third goalkeeper used by St. George's this sesason.

"I figured my experience, which was an important part of it, would hold the team together.

"They just needed somebody to settle them down. We got a point even with a player short. The players have to believe we can win and it's up to the senior players to try to guide the team.

"The way the team is now, everybody had written us off. If we survive that would be success.'' Smith's last appearance was in January, 1994, when he played in the 2-0 home win over Dandy Town because Troy Hall was on international duty. But with refereeing now his major interest, Smith does not plan to play the whole season.

"I'm here on short term, I've already told them I don't want to commit for the season,'' he explained.

Smith turned back the clock with his brilliant late save, throwing his body towards the far post to tip the ball one-handed over the bar to keep out a Shea Pitcher header that looked destined for the back of the net. Immediately the final whistle was blown, to the relief of the St. George's players.

St. David's dominated the match but were woefully weak in their finishing as one shot after another went either high or wide.

Keith Jennings, who had a number of chances, sidefooted over in the 85th minute from a good position. Minutes earlier Shea Pitcher put a free kick wide after Gregg Foggo had been fouled.

St. George's, having used all three of their subs, were forced to play two short for the last 11 minutes when striker Jerome Laws was carried off with an injury.

Kerwin Moreno was sent off in the 67th minute for questioning Crockwell after he had awarded a foul when Princely Fubler brought down Lionel Cann.

Coach Earl Basden was ordered off the bench at the start of the second half for similiar comments regarding the officiating.

Despite these handicaps, St. George's refused to buckle in this local derby and with the defence of new captain Neil Paynter, Fubler, Dean Bailey and Andre Todd remaining firm, St. David's were frustrated even more. Even the introduction of striker James Pace for defender Jamel Warren in the 70th minute failed to change things.

Smith also made some important saves in the first half, including a diving effort to a Gregg Foggo free kick in the 22nd minute and then just before the half when he turned a shot from Shea Pitcher around a post. From the corner Todd cleared Cann's shot off the line.

St. George's: G.Smith; A.Todd, N.Paynter, P.Fubler (A.Bassett 80 mins), D.Bailey; D.Walker (D.Smith 70 mins), Q.Francis, S.Smith (C.Simmons 83 mins), K.Moreno, D.Whitfield, J.Laws.

St. David's: K.Evans; G.Foggo, D.Hollis, J.Warren (J.Pace 70 mins), C.Simmons, E.Wolffe, S.Pitcher, K.Jennings, O.Minors, S.Goater (T.Salassie 46 mins), L.Cann.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell Men of match: Gregory Smith (St. George's), Shea Pitcher (St. David's).

STUART CROCKWELL -- had to be escorted off the field after blowing the final whistle.