The downward spiral of PHC continued on Saturday night, helped by a 1-0 loss to Boulevard who, despite the closeness of the scoreline, were clearly a class above at PHC Stadium.

Striker Kenny Hill supplied the finish to a first-half opportunity, which proved decisive, but the lone goal was indeed kind to the losers who were rarely involved in anything other than defending.

In stumbling to their third consecutive defeat and fifth in six matches -- their last win coming October 10 -- PHC fortified their position closer to the bottom of the First Division tables, giving further cause for concern.

Meanwhile, Boulevard kept pace with the developing lead pack and look to be on the road to capturing their champion mystique.

Dwight Warren, Clinton Caisey and Shivaughn Smith directed the circus from midfield, supplying the front-runners and each other with openings, but lacking adequate finishing power.

A rapid-paced first half witnessed PHC goalkeeper Ty Williams tested early and often, however he needed perfection because of his team's ineffectiveness.

Thus a lone transgression became costly.

Warren fired the opening salvo in the form of an inswinging right-wing corner that Williams parried away and three minutes later Smith's delicate chip from 10 yards again called for special attention from the 'keeper.

The best chance for the home side fell to Ming during a counter-attack, however Lynn Tucker in the Boulevard goal somehow scrambled a fierce drive over the top.

Camped in the opposing half much of the time, firing over and around the target, Boulevard finally hit the mark in the 33rd minute as Hill made the correct adjustment.

Caisey was the instigator, his cross from deep in the left corner finding Hill inside the penalty area. Hill, unmarked, calmly chest-trapped the ball before planting the ball home past Williams.

A slowing of the pace ensued in the second half, but still it was PHC in the chase mode.

Even with most of their veterans in the fold -- Kevin and Mike Dill, Anthony Stovell, Sheridan Ming and Swan -- they could not mount a resurgence.

Stovell did shake the crossbar after 65 minutes after being presented by Swan.

There was a close call at the other end when Mike Dill stuck out a boot to a Hill drive and wrong-footed Williams, just his fine reflexes earning him another save.

Albert Caisey provided a scorching left-footed blast coming off a late free kick by Warren and the curtain came down on the Zebras when referee Osborne blew the final whistle before they could organise for a corner.

PHC: T.Williams; S.Trott, M.Dill, B.Simons, B.Bean; K.Dill, O.Steede (D.Rawlins, 78 mins), A.Stovell; R.Boyles (R.Lightbourne, 85 mins), S.Swan, S.Ming.

Boulevard: L.Tucker; A.Caisey, W.Richardson, G.Smith, J.Boyles; C.Caisey, S.Smith, D.Warren; N.Robinson, K.Hill, V.Symonds (C.Pearman, 67 mins).

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Clinton Caisey (Boulevard); Anthony Stovell (PHC).