Somerset's First Division survival hopes received a major boost last night when they took maximum points from league champions Vasco at Somerset Cricket Club.

Teenager Jelani Scott delivered the key blow when he scored the winning goal after 43 minutes -- putting home a Michael Brangman cross from 12 yards.

The win vaulted them ahead of Hotels and Cougars in the relegation battle and all but wrote off last-place PHC. A win or draw against North Village on Sunday -- or a Hotels loss or draw against Colts -- will keep Somerset up with the big boys. Somerset had to brush off some intense pressure during the last seven minutes last night when they were reduced to nine men after Rodre Wilson and Sean Simmons were both sent off by referee George O'Brien for foul language.

That resulted in a tremendous scare two minutes from time when a blast from Ascento Russell from 18 yards hit the crossbar.

Having wrapped up the league title two weeks ago, Vasco looked anything like champions and Spomerset were able to take advantage from the very start. They were unlucky afer 19 minutes when Simmons had his penalty -- called when fullback Trevor Dickinson was whistled by O'Brien for a handball -- saved by 'keeper Timmy Figureido. But Somerset made the night difficult for themselves with poor shooting, particularly by forwards Wilson, Simmons and Brangman.

Vasco had few scoring chances in the second half against a Somerset team playing for survival. Next to Russell's volley, their best was when 'keeper Winslow Williams dove to save a Dwight Basden header.

Eagles 3 Prospect Paul Place, Troy Smith and Dion Minors scored for Somerset Eagles in a meaningless Second Division contest. Cal Smith replied for Prospect.