Somerset Eagles put the brakes on St. George's' promotion push, shocking the First Division leaders with a come-from-behind triumph at White Hill Field yesterday.

Strikes from Stephen Burrows and Lamaul Crofton served as enough for the home side to end the east enders' unbeaten league run at nine games, while bringing them closer to the chasing pack.

Early beginnings appeared much to the contrary, however, as the visitors struck after a mere three minutes, with Del Tyrell breaking free of the off-side trap and calmly slotting the ball past an advancing Adrian Burrows.

Slow-starting Eagles were forced on the defensive for much of the opening moments, as St. George's dominated through the likes of Herbie Bascome and player/coach Neil Paynter in midfield, and the fleet-footed Tyrell on the right flank.

Fine form between the sticks by Burrows though proved a nemesis to most attacks, and Eagles eventually came into their own.

A blunder by Bascome allowed the home side the chance to equalise, his foul of Jelani Butterfield leading referee Joe Pimental to award a penalty in the 28th minute, one which Burrows expertly converted, raising the roof of the net.

The second half saw St. George's with the advantage of the wind, but their inability to take advantage of such charity ultimately proved their downfall.

Likewise aiding the demise was the needless ejection of Paynter, who got his marching orders from Pimental nine minutes into the final stanza, after disputing a decision by the ref to award a free-kick to Eagles.

Eagles too went down a man when sweeper Ryan Simmons left the pitch for reasons unknown, but, ironically, it was after his departure that the side played its best ball.

This was emphasised in the 75th minute by Crofton, who nipped behind a square defence to get on the end of a well flighted through-ball from Butterfield and deftly rounded Hall before slotting the ball home from an acute angle.

The result yet allowed St. George's to hold onto the top spot, but meant that they squandered the opportunity to utilise the game they had in hand over second place Paget, who were idle, to create further breathing space.

Boulevard 0 St. David's 3 St. David's continued their upward march with a workmanlike display against Boulevard at St. John's Field.

The match was over bar the shouting by the interval, as St. David's sat on a two-goal cushion courtesy of a double strike from lively front man O.J.

Minors.

Further insurance came following the break, as Kevin Bean found the target, heaping more misery on the Blazers, who remained winless for the season.

St. David's, hovering one place from the cellar at Christmas, have now moved to fourth on 15 points, three behind third-placed Ireland Rangers.

Ham.Parish 3 Social Club 3 Both teams came away with a deserved share of the spoils from this action-packed feature at St. David's Oval of much ebb and flow.

Home side Hamilton Parish twice clawed their way back from deficits and were rewarded with a point.

Social Club led 2-0 at the break, but saw that advantage erased as a pair of strikes from John Nicholl levelled matters.

The Bluebirds then took a 3-2 lead and it appeared Parish had finally succumbed, but a defensive blunder by the visitors resulted in a penalty being awarded, which Irving Burgess stroked home.

Scorers for Social Club were Eric Dunkley and Leo Simmons, as well as Parish's Joe Latham, who netted an own goal.

The match due to feature Paget and Prospect at White Hill Field was postponed out of respect for Prospect player Robin Hollinsid, who was killed in a motor accident on Friday night.