`It's not how many chances a team creates, but those they take!' North Village experienced first hand the cruel result when one does not heed the adage, as a bushel of missed chances in the first half led to the Red Devils squandering a prime opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the Premier Division.

In the end the home side still left Bernard Park with a share of the spoils from the contest with current league leaders Dandy Town, but with the knowledge they could have reaped more.

"I told them that it would come down to that (taking our chances), that sometimes it's not how pretty one looks that determines the outcome, but who puts away their chances ... and it cost us dearly today,'' said coach Scott Morton afterward. As early as the ninth minute a high, floating free-kick by Jawan Thomas on the right side was nodded down by Kimandi Binns for Dwight Warren, who caught the ball sweetly on the volley, but could not keep it low enough.

Three minutes later another opportunity was wasted, as Maceo Dill supplied a left side cross for a wide open Binns, who should have done better than to glance a weak header straight at goalkeeper Jason Smith from six yards.

However, the most glaring gaffe was yet to come in the 36th minute, with Dill the culprit in the charade, bursting through on a breakaway, yet, with only the 'keeper to beat, side-footed miserably wide right.

In between Town managed a few attacking manoeuvres of their own which likewise fell short, Zane Hendrickson punching clear of the head of lanky Town striker Kevin Hurdle and later scrambling away an awkward drive by Raymond Beach.

The second half followed a similar script with substitute Keith Jennings missing the target by inches with a free-kick at the edge of the area in the 50th, and Town's Hurdle driving straight at an advancing Hendrickson minutes later.

Kentoine Jennings nearly notched a winner 10 minutes from time when his header from a corner by his brother Keith crashed against the crossbar.

Town coach Andrew Bascome later said that he was generally satisfied. "It was a good result for us,'' he said. "There's no way you can disrespect North Village, they're a good team, and when you come down onto their field a draw is a good result. I know that maybe the fans and players might have wanted more, but tactically it still keeps us in a good position. If you look at it, out of six points we got four after beating them the first time.

"We still have to play Colts on a big field up there where we can play some good football, and then we have Rangers, so we just have to play some good football.

"We have to beat Colts. We haven't beat them yet this season, they're a good team that stay's to their programme and we have to play well, especially these last few games.'' North Village: Z.Hendrickson; A.Simons, M.Hansey, Ken.Jennings, J.Thomas; J.Boyles, K.Binns, R.Spence (Kei.Jennings 45 mins); D.Warren, M.Dill (T.Outerbridge 71 mins), S.Goater (D.Wade 81 mins).

Town: J.Smith; L.Furbert, K.Mundy, P.Douglas, L.Christopher; S.Smith, P.Cann (K.Smith 72 mins), C.Smith (R.TUcker 67 mins); K.Hurdle (S.Tuzo 60 mins), D.Simons, R.Beach.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.

Men of the match: Zane Hendrickson (Village); Lionel Furbert (Town).

Yellow cards: Keith Jennings (Village); Lionel Furbert (Town).