North Village's title hopes received a jolt on Saturday night when they struggled to snatch a point from this Premier Division clash at Somerset.

Had forward Dwight Basden not squandered three scoring chances, one in the first half and two in the second, Village may not have survived with even a share of points.

Going into the contest at the head of the tables Village were unable to find their rhythm and superior play by the home side gave them a 1-0 lead at the half -- the goal coming from Karl Roberts after 27 minutes when he firmly headed home a free-kick from Andrew Rahman.

But the Trojans should gave gone ahead much earlier after just 13 minutes when Basden thundered his shot over from just 13 yards when he should have scored.

With Village looking unsettled their chances were few and far between during the first 20 minutes, the best opportunity coming when Neil Robinson's curling corner was tipped over by goalkeeper Timmy Figureido after 18 minutes.

Just before Roberts put the Trojans ahead, Village narrowly came to scoring when midfielder Michael Hansey saw his blast from 25 yards sensationally tipped around the post by Figureido diving to his left.

The Trojans entered the second half with a deserved lead and could have put the game out of reach but for the Basden misses coming early after play re-started after glaring errors by the visitors' defence.

After 68 minutes, Village, who always threatened down the right flank where Kevin Jennings was a menace to the home defence all night, drew level when the Trojans' defence allowed a Robinson corner to bounce to the gracious Kentoine Jennings who headed home from close range.

The Trojans competed for a while before fading and allowing Village to find momentum that led to shots from Kevin Jennings and Tafari Outerbridge going just wide.

Somerset: T.Figureido; A.Rahman, R.Scott, J.Martin, Dwa.Basden; J.Dill, D.Rahman, K.Roberts; Dwi.Basden (M.Brangman, 68 min), R.Bascome (L.Trew, 77 min), D.Burchall.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; R.Spence (C.Dill, 68 min), J.Boyles, Ken.Jennings, J.Thomas; K.Binns, M.Hansey, D.Warren; Kev.Jennings, T.Outerbridge, N.Robinson (S.Goater, 75 min).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Richard Scott (Trojans); Kevin Jennings (Village) Karl Roberts: Trojans' scorer