Although they were in desperate need of maximum points, home side Cougars won't be too disappointed with this result at Devonshire Rec. yesterday as their hopes of avoiding the Premier Division relegation play-off spot remain alive.

In a contest that saw visiting PHC hold a slight territorial edge throughout, Cougars still created chances to score and with a bit of luck might have snatched victory.

But the same could be said for PHC who were always the more dangerous of the two around goal.

Most chances in the first half fell to PHC, but it was Cougars who came closest to scoring when player-coach Shawn Smith watched as his fierce free kick from 19 yards was brilliantly tipped over by Carlye Crockwell in the PHC goal.

Cougars had a second chance after 36 minutes but this time big striker Phillip Clarke thundered the ball against the bar and then watched as it rolled out for a goal kick. Only 15 yards out, he probably should have comfortably put the ball away after receiving a pass from Heys Wolfe.

But it was by no means one-way traffic. After those chances, PHC were by far the sharper and they pinned Cougars down for long periods.

Otis Steede, Mike Lambe and Chris Furbert all fired shots over the bar from just outside the box and then after 42 minutes Cougars escaped when a fierce header by centre-back Dano Outerbridge was cleared off the goal-line by Shawn Smith.

PHC were more decisive when play re-started with Cougars lacking fire up front and not looking likely to score until late in the game.

Spearheaded up front by Steede, PHC continued to create opportunites but their closest chance came after 72 minutes when Steede rifled a Raynel Lightbourne cross from a corner inches over the bar.

Fine defensive work by centre-back Shawn Smith frequently halted PHC's progress while at the other end Cougars' counter attacks caused the defence to make some clearances in desperation.

Two minutes from time goalkeeper Ricardo Brangman turned away an angled shot by Chris Furbert from 16 yards to deny PHC a winner and Cougars were able to walk away with a point.

Devonshire Cougars: R.Brangman; D.Brangman, S.Smith, M.Dill, J.DeShields; W.Salaam, K.Steede, S.Coddington (K.Saltus, 70 mins); J.Smith, P.Clarke (W.Pitt, 63 mins), H.Wolfe.

PHC: C.Crockwell; S.Lewis, R.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, C.Dowling; S.Russell (S.Swan, 55 mins), C.Furbert, O.Steede; M.Lambe, R.Lightbourne, S.Astwood Referee: Anthony Mouchette Men of the match: Shawn Smith (Cougars); Otis Steede (PHC) Yellow cards: S.Smith, J.Smith (Cougars) Somerset 0 Wolves 0 Somerset and Wolves did themselves few favours in this uninspired contest at the west end, leaving 0-0 as a just result.

The scoreline did nothing to ease the threat of being thrust into a play-off for survival in the Premier Division against the second placed First Division team.

Both teams remain locked on 15 points near the foot of the tables, with Somerset trailing fifth placed Wolves by virtue of inferior goal difference.

With a game each remaining they would do well to get three points to confirm their membership in the top flight for another season, as well as a berth in the Martonmere Cup competition.