Reduced to nine men after two players were sent off for fighting -- each other -- Hotels scored a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time to deny Somerset the points at Southampton Oval yesterday.

This match had a most bizarre finish and left both teams somewhat embarrassed about the two major incidents -- Hotels over how team-mates Diallo Sharrieff and Dion Wainwright came to blows and the Trojans over the way they allowed their short-handed opponents to equalise three minutes into stoppage time! The match took a turn in the 82nd minute when Sharrieff earned a free kick for Hotels on the left side. Before the kick was taken he walked several yards to confront substitute Wainwright.

After Sharrieff shoved Wainwright the pair began fighting and had to be seperated by team-mates as first Wainwright and then Sharrieff were both ejected. Wainwright, clearly agitated by the incident, explained afterwards that his only comment when the free kick was awarded was "cover the area''.

Hotels coach Robert Calderon said the incident was handled afterwards in the changing room when both players apologised to the team and the president.

"It's something completely out of character for Diallo,'' said Calderon who explained that Sharrieff also apologised to Wainwright as he walked off the field.

"Diallo is the type of individual who very rarely gets booked or sent off the field, so it is totally out of character, though it's not excusable. We'll look at it on its merits and handle it in the appropriate way.

"I didn't see it coming. We haven't had any problems in our training sessions or in previous games. In fact, Diallo and Dion are pretty friendly. "It was one of those freak situations and it's quite embarrassing, but there is no excuse for it. It's not something that Hotels Football Club wants to be associated with.'' Somerset players stood around watching in amusement but the last laugh was on them as Hotels denied a victory that would have moved Somerset a point behind Hotels in the standings.

The goal came when Hotels were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Dennis Robinson curled the kick past the wall. Goalkeeper Winslow Williams got his hand to the ball but could not keep it from going in at the near post.

Somerset had taken the lead in the 57th minute from a similar free kick outside the penalty area. This was awarded after Michael Brangman was pulled back by Chris Sabir as he raced for goal. Sean Simmons drove a low shot past the wall and into the near bottom corner.

Hotels: S.Dupres; F.Francis, D.Sharrieff, C.Roberts, W.Augustus, C.Sabir, M.Holdipp, S.Gair (M.Lindsay 53 mins), W.Crockwell, C.Crichlow (D.Wainwright 64 mins).

Somerset: W.Williams; A.Burchall, K.Roberts, D.Woolridge, H.Hunt, S.Simmons, A.Rahman, J.Scott, R.Wilson (C.Anderson 74 mins), D.Burchall, M.Brangman (L.Crofton 54 mins).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Clifford Roberts (Hotels), Dion Woolridge (Som).