(aet)

Somerset Trojans' cup semi-final jinx continued at the Den last night as a piece of Kenny Mills magic midway through the second period of extra-time catapulted Zebras to a first Martonmere Cup final in four years.

Gaining possession of the ball deep in Trojans terrain, veteran Mills wriggled his way past several defenders, slipped the ball out wide to fellow sub Aquino Grant and then forced the resulting cross past a hapless Timmy Figureido in the Trojans goal.

It was the West Enders' first loss of the season, and one for which they had only themselves to blame as they had more than their fair share of chances to put the game away in regulation time.

However, if any team wanted this cup tie the most, then it was PHC who raised their game a few notches and were clearly a pace or two ahead of last season's beaten Martonmere Cup finalists.

The first half saw Zebras take the match to their opponents, veteran Sammy Swan and Jevone Sealey ? who left the pitch in extra-time with a deep gash under his chin ? forcing Figureido to to make diving saves.

Somerset, though, nearly cracked the ice as Zebras' 'keeper Raymon Glasford had to parry a goal-bound Stephen Astwood lob and defender Omar Shakir cleared ing the loose ball off the line.

Trojans midfielder Jelani (Roots) Butterfield then watched in agony as his powerful header crashed onto the bar.

This would ultimately prove to be the closest Trojans would come to scoring as a physical Zebras took command of the proceedings but just couldn't find a way to goal.

Striker Raynel (Manga) Lightbourne got behind the Trojans defence but e could only shoot weakly into the 'keeper's arms.

Swan too was guilty of missing a plethora of chances in a match played at a blistering pace.

The second half again saw Zebras dominate possession of the ball and create the most chances, though Trojans ? especially with Astwood on the ball ? looked dangerous on the counterattack.

On one such raid, second half sub Rohaan Simons had a powerful header saved by a well positioned Glasford who along with Sealey, team captain Blenn Bean and defender Shea Smith were all worthy candidates for man of the match accolades.

Midway through the second half Kevin Lambe forced Figureido to make another diving save before Bean found himself with space to shoot, but his finishing left much to be desired.

Swan also found himself in space all alone with 'keeper Figureido, however the veteran striker lifted his effort over the bar.

Zebras then dodged a bullet when referee Jenny Villamarin failed to penalise Glasford for handling an intended back pass.

And just minutes after flirting with disaster veteran Mills, in his first appearance of the season, finally settled this cup tie with a piece of intelligent football inside the area as fate would once again deliver Trojans a crushing blow at the Den.

Somerset Trojans: T.Figureido, R.Scott, M.Butterfield (J.Tucker, 54 mins), M.Wade, D.Minors, S.Simmons (capt), J.Butterfield, D.Swan, S.Astwood (D.Basden, 71 mins), D.Stovell, A.Lambert (R.Simons, 66 mins).R.Glasford, M.Williams, S.Smith, O.Shakir, D.Wilson, K.Lambe, J.Sealey (S.Russell, 95 mins), B.Bean (capt), L.Bascome (A.Grant, 68 mins), R.Lightbourne (K.Mills, 52 mins), S.Swan. : J.Butterfield (Trojans); S.Smith, O.Shakir, B.Bean (PHC): M.Wade (Trojans); S.Smith (Zebras): Jenny Villamarin.