Peter Sampson's late penalty miss at Devonshire Rec. last night cost Wolves the chance of inflicting a first league defeat of the season on champions Vasco.

Referee Anthony Mouchette pointed to the spot eight minutes from time after Vasco defender Clifford Roberts had handled a header towards goal by Wolves substitute Leo Ming.

Sampson struck his spot-kick well, but at just the right height for Vasco 'keeper Timmy Figureido to dive to his right and make a fine save.

The ball ran loose and Sampson got to it first, but could muster no power into his shot and Figureido was able to save again.

Vasco have now extended their lead at the top of the table to six points with four games to play.

A young and gritty Wolves side were good value for their point and started off the game much the livelier side.

Figureido was in the action after just four minutes, hanging onto a specatcular goal-bound volley by Ellington Weldon from Nakia Smith's corner.

Half-way through the first period, Jared Peniston, who was a constant threat for Wolves on the right flank, went straight through Derek Stapley's strong challenge and crossed for Nakia Smith to attempt a diving near-post header which was blocked by Kentoine Jennings.

Peniston had a go himself 60 seconds later, after cutting inside from the right, but his left-footed shot crept just wide.

Vasco had been strangely lethargic for an unbeaten team yielding yards of space to the Wolves' midfielders.

But on the half hour they managed their first serious goal attempt when Stapley's long ball found Meshach Wade on a typical surging run from midfield, but his first-time shot was saved by Hewvonnie Brown.

Seven minutes later, Wade played a glorious 50-yard ball into the stride of Sinclair Gibbons, but he was tackled by Anthony Thomas.

Vasco looked stronger after the interval and created, but spurned, a string of excellent chances.

First Ascento Russell's shot on the turn was tipped away by Brown, before Gibbons collected the loose ball and crossed. Brown attempted to punch clear but missed the ball sparking a chaotic scramble, but the 'keeper eventually gathered the ball.

Dwight Basden, earlier booked for a late tackle on Thomas, hooked the ball across on the hour for Larance Durham to run in and head just wide.

Four minutes later, after Basden was flattened by Sampson, 22 yards out, came Vasco's best effort of the night. Wade produced a venomous free-kick, which cannoned away off the outide of the post.

Wolves: H.Brown, T.Trott, T.Davis, L.Hypolite, A,Thomas, P.Sampson, J.Peniston, Nir.Smith (S.Berkley 66 mins), J.Eve (L.Ming 68 mins), Nak.Smith, E.Weldon.

Vasco: T.Figureido, K.Jennings, C.Roberts, D.Stapley, L.Durham, O.Steede, T.Outerbridge, S.Gibbons, M.Wade, D,Basden, A.Russell.

Referee: Anthony Mouchette Men of the match: Jared Peniston (Wolves); Meshach Wade (Vasco)