It wasn?t exactly the shot heard around the world. But Dawud Tucker?s 68th-minute winner was enough to earn ten-man Somerset Trojans qualification for next month?s Dudley Eve Trophy competition and put them back on top of the Premier Division.

In a match, perhaps mirrored by yesterday?s wet and overcast conditions at Police Field, Tucker ? debuting in a Trojans jersey following a move from PHC ? jumped off the bench and applied the finishing touches to a three-man build up down the left side with the only goal of the game.

After Trojans failed to bury golden opportunities in the recent Martonmere Cup final against Dandy Town, one might have thought they would have had things all figured out in terms of hitting the target.

Wrong!

Just as they did against Hornets at the nearby National Sports Centre nine days earlier, the West Enders continually exposed their opposing defence, only to watch their gun-shy forwards allow promising approach work to go down the drain.

Shawn (Luther) Riley ? promoted in attack ? was among the main culprits, hesitating to pull the trigger when well positioned.

And fortunately for Trojans, Tucker?s strike came only minutes before inspirational sweeper Sean Simmons received his marching orders after committing a second bookable offence.

Prior to Simmons shoving young Shannon Nusum to the ground, the dreadlocked player was enjoying another solid game at the heart of his team?s defence along with the returning Richard Scott.

But just as the euphoria of Tucker?s goal began to subside, a sudden rush of blood resulted in Simmons being ejected ? for the second time this season ? for a soft foul.

While Somerset were always in control of this scrappy affair, the final scoreline did them little justice.

Like a flock of hungry vultures, the aggressive Colts hovered around just waiting for an opportunity to present itself. However, like their opponents, the men in orange also seemed to lose their way in attack.

And while Colts did look threatening on the break, their chances were limited up against the likes of Simmons, Scott and a slightly subdued Marco Butterfield.

Colts best chances ? both from outside of the area ? fell to workhorse MacKonnen Hollis and Ryan Purnell. Colts? veteran forward Sekai Waldron also proved to be a thorn in Trojans? side with some forceful running up front.

Other then these two half-chances, Trojans? custodian Timmy Figureido was rarely tested between the sticks.

In truth, Trojans should have had this match all sewn up in the opening half.

Having clearly stamped their authority on the game, Somerset nearly took a deserved lead ten minutes before the break.

Attacking down the right side, Terry Sousa sliced Riley?s diagonal cross in the box just wide while cries for a Trojans penalty fell on deaf ears after striker Lamaul Crofton went tumbling in the area.

Stephen Astwood also ballooned a long range effort wide of the post to leave the two clubs deadlocked at the half.

Little changed in terms of Trojans enjoying the lion?s share of possession and creating the better chances when play resumed.

And the visitors were finally rewarded for the perseverance 19 minutes into the second half when Tucker marked his first appearance for Trojans by getting his name onto the scoresheet.

The decisive move started deep in Colts? half when sub Adolphus Lambert found Sousa in the middle. With defenders all around him, Sousa cleverly flicked the ball behind the Colts defence for the unmarked Tucker to whip the ball in at the far post and send Trojans to the head of the class. K.Bean, J.Butterfield, S.Burgess, A.Lowe, T.Brown (J.Commissiong, 68 mins), S.Waldron, W.Ming (R.Purnell, 55 mins), Q.Jones, S.Dietz, M.Hollis (capt), D.MendozaT.Figureido, M.Butterfield, R.Scott, S.Simmons, J.Butterfield, J.Scott (capt), S.Riley, S.Astwood (A.Lambert, 60 mins), T.Sousa, L.Crofton (N.Wade, 71 mins), Q.Aberdeen (D.Tucker, 51 mins).: Q.Jones, M.Hollis (Colts); S.Astwood (Somerset)S.Simmons (Somerset): S.Caldron (Colts); R.Scott (Somerset)Leroy Wilson.