Dandy Town joined Devonshire Colts in the Martonmere Cup semi-finals when Stevie Wade's first goal for his new club in the 13th minute was unanswered by the Zebras who suffered their first loss of the season.

The win give Town three points from their two games and leaves PHC needing to beat North Village in the final Group A game at Devonshire Rec on October 13.

The goal looked on the cards for several minutes as Town's front line of Wade, Carlos Smith and Walter Musson gave the PHC defence a torrid time in the opening minutes. So much so that PHC coach Jack Castle had two of his team's substitutes -- Mark Wade and Derrick (Nails) Douglas -- warming up in the first quarter of an hour after Paul Cann down the right flank constantly got past left back Roderick Lewis.

The raids on the PHC defence started as early as the second minute when Smith stabbed an effort over the bar after some good work down the flank by Cann resulted in Musson finding Smith in the penalty area.

Town's domination continued with Lloyd Christopher getting forward from leftback and driving a shot just past the far post. Town were virtually camping out in the PHC half and it was no surprise when they turned that advantage into the game's only goal in the 13th minute, with Smith doing the work down the right side and crossing for Wade to drive a low shot past keeper Carlyle Crockwell from 12 yards.

Soon after Mark Wade came on for Lewis and gradually PHC started to settle down as a cross from Wade saw keeper Anthony Manders knock the ball off the head of Kyle Lightbourne to concede a corner at the far post.

PHC were no match for the fast-moving Town side, though they did manage to test the Town defence with some quick breaks. Midfielder Kevin Dill put a close range effort just wide after a cross from the left by Lightbourne was only half cleared.

Just before the break Town defender Neil Paynter drove a free-kick from all of 40 yards on target before Crockwell confidently plucked the ball out of the air.

PHC had a slow start in the second half but gradually picked up their game again as Manders blocked an effort from Lightbourne inside the box and at the other end a Paul Cann cross saw Crockwell save at the feet of Smith.

The Zebras introduced Kenny Mills for out-of-touch Sammy Swan in the 67th minute and Lightbourne picked up his own game with some strong runs at the Town defence.

A long ball into the Town defence in the 73rd minute saw Mark Smith challenge Manders near the goalline before hooking the ball back across goal and watching it bounce on top of the crossbar.

Despite PHC pressure Town sub Lionel (Tit) Cann nearly settled the issue in the 81st minute when a quick break saw him slip through the PHC defence only to have his shot blocked by the fast advancing Crockwell on the edge of the area.

PHC's last two chances came when the sprawling Mills just failed to connect with a Lightbourne cross to the far post and then in injury time Lightbourne put a difficult header over the bar.

PHC: C.Crockwell; S.Simmons, R.Lewis (M.Wade 19 mins), M.Dill, D.Outerbridge; K.Dill, F.Ming, O.Steede; K.Lightbourne, S.Swan (K.Mills 67 mins), M.Smith.

Dandy Town: A.Manders; L.Christopher, W.Rudo, W.Campbell, N.Paynter; P.Cann, R.Parsons, D.Robinson (P.Douglas 74 mins); W.Musson, C.Smith (L.Cann 79 mins), S.Wade.

Men of match: Kyle Lightbourne (PHC), Anthony Manders (Town).

Referee: Frank Drayton.