EAST PROVIDENCE -- The East Providence football team took a major step toward a playoff berth yesterday even if the Townies stumbled a little along the way.

Despite giving up three fumbles in their own territory and having a punt blocked deep in their own end, the Townies came up with the big plays when they needed them, both on offense and defense, as they posted a 24-10 victory over North Kingstown in Division I play at Pierce Field.

The victory upped the Townies league record to 4-1 and moved them into a second-place tie with Hendricken, also 4-1. East Providence, Hendricken and undefeated La Salle, (4-0) are the only teams in the division with one or fewer losses.

North Kingstown, which came into the game fresh off a victory over previously undefeated Hendricken last week, dropped to 2-3 in league play.

"This was big for us," East Providence coach Sandy Gorham said about the Townies' triumph. The Skippers "had a lot of motivation because it could have changed the whole playoff picture."

Quarterback Ned Lovett gave East Providence a 6-0 lead with a 72-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the first quarter, and North Kingstown trailed the rest of the way. But it took a couple of outstanding efforts from the East Providence defense to keep the Townies in front.

A blocked punt midway through the second quarter gave North Kingstown a first down on the East Providence nine, and the Skippers picked up another first-down on the five when East Providence was called for pass interference.

But the Townies' defense only gave up two yards on the next three plays, forcing North Kingstown to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Dave D'Errico.

North Kingstown had another scoring opportunity later in the second quarter when the Skippers recovered a fumble on the Townies' 40. Three plays later the Skippers had a first down on the East Providence 18, but the Townies' defense only gave up seven yards on the ensuring four plays.

The Townies took over on downs and began a 79-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard field goal by Ben Carter on the final play of the first half.

North Kingstown recovered another East Providence fumble on the second-half kickoff, but on the next play the Townies' defense recovered a Skippers' fumble.

A 32-yard run by Ron Woodley and a 15-yard pass from Lovett to Jordan Britto set the stage for a nine-yard touchdown run by the Townies' Thomas Speaks. Lovett followed with a conversion pass to Issac Spivey, pushing the Townies lead to 17-3.

The Townies' defense forced the Skippers to give up the ball on downs once again midway through the fourth quarter on the East Providence 20 and the Townies began an 80-yard scoring drive that ended with a one-yard Speaks touchdown run.

North Kingstown 0 3 0 7 -- 10

East Providence 6 3 8 7 -- 24

North Kingstown scoring: touchdowns -- Joe Dauksis (32 pass from Andrew Celani); field goal -- Dave D'Errico ((22 yards); conversion -- D'Errico (kick).

East Providence scoring: touchdowns -- Lovett (72 run), Speaks (9 run, 1 run); field goal -- Carter (27 yds.); conversions -- Issac Spivey (pass from Lovett); Carter (kick).

jgillool@projo.com / (401) 277-7340