PHC 1 Devonshire Colts 1

Blunders in defence accounted for both goals in a Premier Division game that saw PHC and Colts walk away with a deserved point at Somerset yesterday.

However, PHC, already through to the Dudley Eve going into the day, failed to further solidify their position at the head of the table, while Colts were able to snatch third place for a position in the end-of-year tournament.

Both teams left the scoring late. Colts took a 1-0 lead after a cross from the left saw a PHC defender fail to head the ball away and substitute Lloyd Holder graciously moved in to head it firmly into the goal after 76 minutes.

But Colts' blunder was even more blatant, coming after 80 minutes, when goalkeeper Kevin Bean astonishingly punched a corner by substitute Jahvon Mallory into goal to level the scores.

Up to that stage there was little to choose between the two teams with play sea-sawing without any side's attackers being able to capitalise.

PHC's ineptness was more acute with just Raynel Lightbourne up front looking capable of doing any harm while Colts looked a bit more threatening when advancing with Quincy Aberdeen and brother Jermaine a menace.

Colts had the first scoring chance after 27 minutes when Keenan Burchall played a shot from 15 yards wide of the far post after being set up by Jermaine Aberdeen.But PHC watched in agony as Lightbourne missed a sitter seconds before the half, side-swiping a ball from the hard-working Chris Furbert over the bar from just a few yards out.

The trend continued in the second half with a lot of counter-attacking that fizzled out when play entered the penalty box - both defences managing to deal with forwards who lacked the finishing touch. When it looked as though a scoreless draw would be the only result Holder came through to put Colts ahead, but PHC were rewarded for being competitive throughout when Bean handed them their early Christmas gift.

PHC: D.Joell; J.Sealey, S.Lewis, C.Furbert, C.Dowling; O.Steede, S.Russell, A.Washington (D.Outerbridge, 82 mins); N.Simons (J.Ball, 72 mins), R.Lightbourne, D.Wilson (J.Mallory, 60 mins). Substitutes not used: Q.Hunt. .

Devonshire Colts: K.Bean; Jermel Belboda, M.Hollis, S.Burgess; K.Burchall, D.Zuill, G.Gibbons (L.Holder, 60 min), K.Smith, J.Dill (Jermaine Belboda, 74 mins); J.Aberdeen (C.Hill, 78 mins), Q.Aberdeen. Substitutes not used: A.Hendrickson, D.Davis.

Bookings: Lightbourne, Lewis (PHC); Hollis, Gibbons, Dill, Burchall (Colts).

Men of the match: C.Furbert (PHC); D.Zuill (Colts).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.