Dandy Town returned to the top of the Coca Cola First Division by virtue of this draw at St. John's Field yesterday, but the dropped point combined with Somerset's loss on Saturday night means that the title race has got even closer.

Despite the presence of three of the Island's top strikers -- Darron Simons, Carlos Smith and Dennis Robinson -- this clash failed to produce the expected fireworks, and in the closing minutes both teams looked content with the shared points which means that Town take over first place by a point and Village remain in fourth spot.

Robinson's break from the Bermuda Regiment was timely enough as it allowed the North Village striker the opportunity to line up against his former team, but neither he, Simons nor Smith of Town could find the net. Between them they have scored 34 goals this season.

Town had the better of the first half exchanges, while the second half saw the visitors create the best chances to seal the win. In the end a draw was a fair result.

Such was Town's pressure early in the first half that at one stage Robinson was back in the six-yard box defending during a corner. His fiercely competitive nature rattled Kris Martin who retaliated after being fouled and was spoken to by referee Frank Drayton.

Minutes earlier Wayne Campbell of Town was booked for a foul on Maceo Dill. In the 30th minute Chris Sabir of Village was booked for pulling back Carlos Smith on the left side. From the resulting free kick Smith curled his effort just over the bar.

Things changed in the second half with Village forcing a corner after just 20 seconds. It was from their second corner soon after that they came closest to scoring when Dill met Sabir's inswinging corner to put his header just over the top.

Village were enjoying their best spell of the match as Robinson made a good cross that 'keeper Cymande Davis caught to deny Dill at the far post and then in the 71st minute Robinson's shot was deflected for a corner.

The best chance of the match came from the corner as substitute Sean Dill headed towards goal and Elliott Jennings, with his back to goal, hooked a shot inches wide from three yards out with Robinson standing beside him and waiting to apply the finishing touch.

Town made a double substitution in the 75th minute, bringing on Troy Lewis and Nathan Webb for Kris Martin and Khari Sharrieff while minutes later Village replaced Nakia Smith with Michael Hansey.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; W.Rudo, D.Lewis, W.Campbell, H.Durham; P.Douglas, R.Parsons, K.Martin (T.Lewis 75 mins), K.Sharrieff (N.Webb 75 mins), C.Smith, D.Simons.

North Village: G.Edness; K.Grant, D.Bell, I.Romaine, C.Roberts, W.Bassett, C.Sabir, N.Smith (M.Hansey 79 mins), M.Dill (S.Dill 69 mins), E.Jennings, D.Robinson.

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of match: Ross Parsons (Town), Clifford Roberts (Village).