Jerry Webb's ninth goal of the season in the 10th minute at Bernard Park proved enough to take the Trojans back to the head of the standings as punchless Village slumped to their second straight home loss.

The Trojans and Devonshire Colts continued their musical chairs act after Colts crashed to St. George's to allow the west-enders to slip back into first place by a point in what is developing into a wide-open title race with just two points separating the top five teams.

Webb's goal was worthy of the two points it brought, as a long ball into the penalty box saw full-back Curtis Dublin fail to clear and Webb pounced to pick up possession. He shrugged off a couple of tackles and from the left side of the area drove a fierce shot that smashed into the roof of the net through the hands of goalkeeper Cymande Davis.

Village went close to equalising in the 18th minute when midfielder Kevin Jennings put his shot inches over the bar from a free kick on the left side of the penalty area.

Then from another free kick, this time on the right side, full-back Rahji Edness fired a shot over the top.

Despite the two chances Somerset held the upper hand and were more fluent in their passes leading up to the edge of the penalty box before youngsters Michael Hansey and Kimandi Binns limited their scoring chances.

The 20-year-old Davis in the Village goal was called upon to make an important save in the 38th minute after a blocked shot from Webb had the 'keeper scrambling back before judging well to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

From Kelly Simmons' inswinging corner on the right, Davis again kept out Somerset with another important save.

Village showed determination right to the end of the half when Sean Dill cut in on the left and unleashed a shot from outside the penalty area that Winslow Williams tipped over the bar in the 41st minute. Red Devils midfielder Kevin Bailey was booked in the 43rd minute for shoving Trevor Dickinson off the ball.

Bailey had a quiet match against his old team-mates and was substituted in the 54th minute for Clinton Caisey. Suddenly Village were playing with more vigour with the lively Caisey adding a new dimension to their attack.

A good run down the left by Clarke saw him cross for Dill who laid on a good chance for Caisey who could only manage to shoot straight at the well-positioned Williams.

The longer the half wore on the more desperate Village became in their search for the equaliser. Hansey, outstanding in their defence, pushed forward for corners and went close with a couple of headers.

Paul Place of Somerset was booked for dissent after Clarke had been fouled and against the run of play the Trojans nearly sealed the points with a second goal in the 76th minute when Rodney Bascome crossed from the right and Reggie Tucker put a firm, free header wide of the near post.

Village had two good chances in the closing minutes as Dill sent a screamer just wide of a post after a smart build-up and then Caisey headed wide of the far post following a cross from the right by Kevin Jennings.

Somerset Village: C.Davis; C.Dublin, R.Edness, K.Binns, M.Hansey; K.Jennings, K.Bailey (C.Caisey, 54 mins), E.Jennings; S.Dill, P.Clarke (R.Wilson, 83 mins), P.Simmons.

Somerset: W.Williams; B.Simons, L.Simmons, P.Place, T.Dickinson; R.Simmons, R.Tucker, K.Simmons; J.Webb, R.Bascome (K.Tucker, 81 mins), B.Kirkpatrick (L.Crofton, 55 mins).

Referee: Gregory Belboda.

Men of the match: Michael Hansey (North Village); Kelly Simmons (Somerset).

BATTLE FOR POSSESSION -- North Village captain Elliott Jennings, Kimandi Binns (4) and Rahji Edness (15) attempt to thwart Somerset striker Rodney Bascome in yesterday's action at Bernard Park. Somerset won 1-0.