PHC's hopes of a shock victory over the league leaders nosedived as they conceded two goals from Corey Hill in the last four minutes of this Coca Cola First Division clash yesterday.

With a draw seemingly on the cards, the young Zebras appeared destined for a result that would have certainly restored their fading confidence following a dismal start to the season. But it wasn't to be.

Showing touches of the form that helped them eclipse Boulevard in the Martonmere Cup final a week ago, Vasco took complete charge late in the game, playing with contemptuous coolness when the score was 1-1 with precious little time left.

Until the dying minutes PHC had given a spirited performance. But Vasco methodically threw them out of gear with speed and precision.

Showing lightning acceleration, Hill and the hard-working Irving Burgess spearheaded a spree that ended PHC's challenge, all the more impressive as Vasco had been reduced to 10 players after centre-back Kentoine Jennings was sent off for swearing.

PHC scored first with an own goal by Earl Richardson after 60 minutes before Sinclair Gibbons blasted home an equaliser six minutes later.

But the lively second half didn't end there with the speedy Burgess, who had a hand in each of the goals, busy as ever and leading Vasco in virtually every raid. Only some fine saves by the efficient Ellsworth Bean in goal held Vacso at bay.

However, after 86 minutes Burgess' defence-splitting pass saw Hill slip through the middle, outpace two defenders and slam home the winning goal.

And if that wasn't enough to deflate PHC, Hill got another pass from Burgess and chipped home a beauty of a shot from an angle 15 yards out on the right.

It was an agonising loss for PHC who often played well enough to match their opponents for long spells and deserved to be still very much in the game after a scoreless first half. For them goalkeeper Bean and young full backs Corey Dowling and Enwar Hunt were outstanding.

Misses by Burgess combined with Bean sensationally tipping Shawn Smith's drive over for a corner and diving to push Billy Kirkpatrick's blast around the post added to Vasco's frustrations. But in the end their unbeaten record remained intact.

PHC: E.Bean; E.Hunt, D.Outerbridge, M.Wade, C.Dowling; M.Trott, W.Crockwell (L.Christopher, 67 mins), F.Ming; W.Trott, S.Ming, S.Simons (M.Smith, 82 mins).

Vasco: T.Figuereido; D.Stapley, K.Jennings, S.Smith, E.Richardson; K.Roberts, S.Gibbons, S.Arorash; C.Hill, I.Burgess, F.Simmons (B.Kirkpatrick, 61 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell Men of the match: Ellsworth Bean (PHC); Irving Burgess (Vasco).