Stunned by a goal after just 35 seconds, Vasco hit back to snatch all three points in this Coca Cola First Division opener at St. John's Field yesterday.

Both Vasco goals resulted from fouls, with Sammy Swan equalising from the penalty spot and Meshach Wade hitting the winner from a free kick in the closing moments of the first half.

Vasco's supposedly solid backline of Derek Stapley, Kentoine Jennings, Wade and Earl Richardson was caught napping as Town netted from their first raid, with Seyoum Tuzo driving a close range shot past Timmy Figureido.

But Vasco kept their composure after that early setback and went close with chances in the 13th and 16th minutes through Swan and Keith Jennings.

The penalty came when Dwight Basden was tripped by Dano Outerbridge as he attempted to run into the box. Swan beat Antoinne Lightbourne with his low shot from the spot.

Town were forced to replace the injured Damon Ming with Kris Martin in the 36th minute and with his first touch Martin had a chance to put Town back in front, but he put his shot straight at Figureido from inside the penalty area.

Vasco went ahead to stay in the 45th minute when Keith Jennings was pushed by Tuzo on the edge of the box. Jennings dummied the free kick and Wade placed his low shot inside the far post.

Bookings and flaring tempers dominated the match after that as Troy Lewis and Kris Martin of Town and Vasco's Ottis Steede and Sammy Swan were all cautioned.

The match threatened to get out of hand twice in the space of a few minutes when, first, Steede was booked for dissent after an incident between Shawn Simons and Tuzo. Then Simons acted as peacemaker when Earl Richardson fouled Town captain Devarr Boyles who started to react before Simons pulled Boyles away.

Figureido made a couple of decisive saves late in the game, first tipping over a cross from Tuzo that looked like dropping under the bar and then coming off his line to save at the feet of Darron Simons.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne; N.Paynter, D.Outerbridge, D.Bailey, T.Lewis; D.Boyles (R.Tucker 73 mins), D.Ming (K.Martin 36 mins), S.Tuzo, P.Cann, D.Simons, C.Smith (L.Furbert 63 mins) Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, Ken.Jennings, M.Wade, E.Richardson (P.Towlson 78 mins); S.Gibbons, Kei.Jennings (N.Burrows 90 mins), O.Steede, D.Basden, S.Swan (K.Smith 72 mins), S.Simons.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of match: Seyoum Tuzo (Dandy Town), Dwight Basden (Vasco)