Devonshire Colts 4

Dandy Town 2

Aljame Zuill underlined his class as one of the deadliest finishers in Premier Division football, rescuing Devonshire Colts with two second-half strikes yesterday.

His goals - textbook examples of how forwards should execute - sent Colts, who were twice behind, 3-2 up and they galloped on to a well-deserved 4-2 away victory.

The comeback triumph was sealed in the 75th minute when the hard-working Jamel (Mouse) Smith lofted a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box over the hands of makeshift Town goalie Lionel Furbert. The latter had donned the gloves after regular custodian, Jason Smith, was sent off for catching the ball outside the box to prevent a Colts breakaway. Ironically, it was the resulting free kick which brought Colts' final goal.

Earlier, however, it had seemed Town would satisfy home fans who flocked to St. John's Field. Twice they snatched the lead in the first half to be 2-1 up at the break. Reginald Tucker first broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a shot from about 12 yards that gave Town a 1-0 advantage. Colts answered seven minutes later when Mark Ray hooked the ball across the goalmouth from the right side, despite a tight angle, to beat Jason Smith.

A magnificent left-foot blast by Carlos Smith, running onto a pinpoint pass down the left flank from Brendan O'Riordan in midfield, restored Town's lead (2-1) at the stroke of the half.

That would be Town's last laugh as their closest scoring chances in the second half were two shots that ricocheted from the crossbar and the upright. Oblivious to his opponents' disappointment, Zuill, who fought off two defenders for his first strike, celebrated his goals in the 61st and 70th minutes in the style of the season - donning a Santa Claus hat both times.

"I just had to take my game up a notch. The first half was slow and the coach told me to go up a notch in the second half.

"I feel pretty good and I'm glad we're on top. Now I'm looking forward to a good Christmas," said the Colts' lethal weapon afterwards, savouring back slaps from team-mates.

The sudden about-turn in the two teams' fortunes had understandable effects. Silence replaced the raucous shouts previously heard from Town fans while Colts' supporters launched into celebration even before Smith was sent off or the fourth goal had been scored.

Dandy Town: J.Smith; J.Robinson; M.Love; R.Swan; C.Azar (L.Furbert, 20 mins); P.Douglas; G.Foggo (B.O'Riordan, 38 mins); K.Butterfield; J.Tucker; R.Tucker (V.Hill, 71 mins); C.Smith.

Devonshire Colts: K.Dill; J.Belboda; M.Hollis; S.Burgess; S.Mendes (Jermaine Belboda, 67 mins); M.Ray; R.Evans (L.Holder, 55 mins); K.Burchall; K.Smipson; A.Zuill; J.Smith (G.Gibbons, 80 mins).

Booked: J. Robinson, P.Douglas (Dandy Town); Jermaine Belboda (Dev. Colts)

Sent off: J.Smith (Dandy Town, 74 mins)

Men of the match: B.O'Riordan (Dandy Town); A.Zuill (Dev. Colts).

Referee: LyndonRaynor..