VANCOUVER (CP) -- Workhorse running back Joe Smith plunged for two touchdowns as the B.C. Lions regained first place in the CFL West with a 40-7 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.

Smith, who had 99 rushing yards and is within six of 1,000 for the season, now has 12 rushing touchdowns.

His clinching major made it 27-7 and it was set up by Ryan Phillips's league-leading eighth interception as the Lions turned a multitude of Toronto turnovers into points.

Defensive end Brent Johnson recovered a fumble by Toronto quarterback Michael Bishop after he was sacked for the second time by Cameron Wake and rambled 25 yards to the end zone.

B.C. took a 27-7 lead early in the fourth quarter after Mark Washington punched the ball away from Argo receiver Andre Talbot who leaped for a Bishop pass near midfield.

Phillips scampered 51 yards to the Toronto six yard line. Smith scored two carries later.

B.C. quarterback Jarious Jackson made his fourth consecutive start in place of veteran Dave Dickenson (concussion) and Buck Pierce (shoulder) and managed the game better than his Toronto counterpart.

He faced the league's top-rated pass defence but it was Bishop who was picked off three times.

Korey Banks's interception led to one of Paul McCallum's five field goals, the longest from 46 yards. McCallum added three converts while Toronto kicker Noel Prefontaine conceded two safeties.

Frank Murphy got the Argo touchdown on a one-yard reverse on third down. Phillips was called for pass interference on receiver Patrick Johnson to give Toronto possession on the Lions five yard line.

The win moved the 7-3-1 Lions one point ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who lost 44-22 to the Calgary Stampeders.

Saskatchewan and the Lions meet in a first-place showdown next Saturday in Regina.

The loss ended a modest two-game win streak for the 4-7 Argonauts who last won here in 2002. It was also the first defeat in five starts this season for Bishop.

The Argos remain third in the East Division but are now one point behind the Edmonton Eskimos, who are fourth in the West and could cross over as the third playoff seed in the East.

The Lions led 12-0 at halftime on Smith's touchdown, a safety and McCallum's field goal, scored on B.C.'s first possession when three Argonauts penalties kept an 11-play drive alive.

Smith made it 10-0 in the second quarter when a career-high 56-yard Ian Smart punt return gave the Lions a short field at the Toronto 47.

Smart, who burned the Argos for a 76-yard kickoff return in the Lions 24-22 win in their season opener, was tripped up by Khalil Carter.

Smith then carried six times on the TD drive including the final three. He needed a second effort to punch the ball in on third down on the Toronto one yard line.

The Argos drove deep into B.C. territory twice in the first half they stalled on penalties and a Barron Miles interception.<

NOTES: McCallum went over 100 points for the 11th straight season. ... Chris Hardy of the Argos and Tad Crawford of the Lions were ejected for a fracas on a punt return. ... Lions defensive back Ryan Phillips has more than 200 return yards off interceptions and the club record in that department. ... Jerry Bradley set the previous mark of 188 in 1970. ... The Lions have started a different quarterback from the previous week four times in the last eight weeks.





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