If PHC Zebras are to become the first local club to win ten FA Cups this season, then they?ll have to quickly pull their socks up and do a lot better than they did against an under-strength Devonshire Cougars at the Den last night.

Zebras missed a golden opportunity to steer clear of the cellar as solo efforts from Kor-Von Tucker and Kwame Steede either side of the half gave Cougars the three vital points needed to keep pace with league leaders Boulevard.

The visiting team enjoyed more than their fair share of possession and managed to create openings, but lost their way in front of goal.

And to add insult to injury, Zebras striker Dennis Russell limped off injured in the 51st minute and then player-coach Kyle Lightbourne was sent off in the 75th minute after receiving a second yellow card for handling the ball.

It was Lightbourne?s first red card in local football.

The former Coventry City striker received a first yellow card after only ten minutes when he was blown for handling the ball in the box, resulting in a Cougars penalty.

The usually dependable Steede strolled up confidently to take the kick, but had his effort saved by Raymon Glasford.

Glasford?s heroics seemed to inject a bit of life into his team-mates and gradually Zebras began to come into their own ? venturing forward with more purpose to keep their hosts on edge.

But all of PHC?s hard work came undone at the seams ten minutes before the half, and it would take an individual piece of brilliance from young Tucker who glided past his marker and bent the ball from an acute angle past Glasford in goal.

At the opposite end Zebras pressed on, but Cougars managed to protect their lead until the break.

Determined to get back in contention, PHC ran at Cougars when play resumed as though their lives depended on it, but again their finishing left much to be desired.

Zebras then suffered an initial setback when Russell went down in agony after landing awkwardly in the box and was replaced by veteran Sammy Swan.

At this point neither team really looked like they wanted to win the match, as chances continued to go begging at both ends.

And just when it appeared as though Cougars? one-goal cushion would be enough to do the trick, Steede made up for his earlier penalty miss by matching Tucker?s brilliant solo effort with one of his own. Gaining possession deep down Zebras? right side, Steede turned his marker inside out like a pretzel before beating Glasford at the near post with a low drive.

Zebras, however, refused to bury their heads in the sand, and within minutes were back in contention when Kevin Lambe finally got behind the Cougars defence and planted his shot past Ricardo Brangman who had an otherwise quiet night between the uprights.

Lambe?s goal lifted his team?s hopes, and again the visitors ran at Cougars in search of an equaliser. And they were nearly rewarded for their perseverance when a Cecoy Robinson howitzer crashed onto the woodwork.

But just as Zebras were beginning to gain momentum, Lightbourne was sent packing. And his departure virtually signalled the end as it clearly knocked the wind from Zebras? sails.

With PHC now reduced to playing one man short, Cougars took advantage of the situation, and in all honesty should have blown Zebras clean of the pitch in the closing moments.

But thanks to a plethora of squandered chances by Raymond Beach, Zebras were spared the humiliation.: R.Brangman, J.Butterfield, I.Mallory, D.Cox, K.Bean, S.Perinchief, C.Caisey (R.Baker, 81 mins), O.Butterfield, K.Tucker, K.Steede (capt), R.Beach.: R.Glasford, M.Waldron, M.Williams, I.Barry (A.Grant, 61 mins), O.Shakir, C.Furbert, K.Lightbourne, J.Sealey, K.Lambe, C.Robinson, D.Russell (S.Swan, 59 mins). : I.Barry (PHC): K.Lightbourne (PHC): C.Caisey (Cougars); O.Shakir (PHC): Leroy Wilson.