Dandy Town regained sole possession of first place in the Coca Cola First Division after this solid performance against relegation threatened Devonshire Cougars at the Rec. yesterday.

Walter Musson, returning from injury for the first time since a Dudley Eve match at this same ground in December, killed off the home side with a 58th minute strike, scoring directly from a corner kick past a baffled defence.

However, the single goal did not begin to tell the story, merely serving to flatter Cougars, who were continually out-hustled by fit, hungry opponents.

Only captain Shawn Smith showed the fighting spirit required of a team in desperate need of points to avoid relegation to the Second Division.

Smith toiled from his sweeper position, shutting down numerous forays by a rampant Town front line led by Carlos Smith.

He also appeared the most dangerous going forward, but without help his efforts were in vain.

Town were able to control much of the possession and pin Cougars on the defensive, especially in the second half.

Still, the first opportunity of the match fell to the home team after just eight minutes and what a golden chance it was.

A searching ball forward placed last man Wylie Rudo at odds as he lost his footing, allowing Paul Simmons through on a break-away. However, with Town goalkeeper Cymande Davis off his line in `no-man's land' Simmons screwed his shot well wide.

Town stormed back five minutes later with Kris Martin watching as his shot from an acute angle on the right was cleared off the line, this after Martin had been sprung by a delicate Musson free kick.

Play meandered for much of the remainder of the period, with Town holding the edge.

Town, came out rejuvenated at the start of the second half, as right from the kick off Darron Simons flashed down the left flank and crossed to Smith who placed a firm header wide of the near post from a scant six yards out.

A period of Town pressure followed, climaxed by Musson's goal. His curling kick from the right corner flag eluded the clutches of 'keeper Leon Place as well as the heads of three defenders before nestling in at the far post.

Two minutes later a chance to pad the advantage was muffed as team-mates Wayne Campbell and Simons clashed trying to get on the end of a perfectly flighted Musson corner.

Cougars went all out in search of the equaliser, thrusting players forward in increasing numbers, but were unable to dent the five man defence of the visitors.

Town now lead Somerset by a point with four matches remaining, while Cougars find themselves precariously placed at the bottom of the standings, with 10 points, one less than ninth placed BAA.

Devonshire Cougars: L.Place; S.Coddington, S.Smith, D.Durrant (G.Butterfield, 8 mins), M.Dill; D.Russell, T.Smith, W.Salaam; P.Simmons (D.Brangman 68 mins), J.Salaam, D.Bean.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; W.Rudo, W.Campbell, P.Douglas, D.Lewis, W.Musson; K.Martin (N.Smith 72 mins), R.Parsons, T.Lewis; C.Smith, D.Simons.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men-of-the-match: Shawn Smith (Devonshire Cougars), Walter Musson (Dandy Town).