North Village, stunned by two goals in the first 14 minutes, slumped to a defeat at Bernard Park yesterday that could cost them the Premier Division title.

On a day that they needed to win to close the gap on leaders PHC to one point, the Red Devils were rocked by a Trojans team just as anxious for points at the other end of the table.

The visitors took a surprise lead after just 11 minutes when Curtis Grant went down inside the box after a challenge from Kentoine Jennings. Defender Karl Roberts blasted the resulting spot kick into the top corner.

Village, with coach Kenny Thompson off the Island, went further behind three minutes later when Grant sidefooted home a rebound from close range.

It was a frantic opening period as Village got on the scoresheet themselves in the 16th minute when Jamaul Boyles pulled a goal back after a move down the left flank opened the Trojans defence. But the home team were not over their defensive woes as the Trojans, with Grant, Omar Shakir and Ralph Burrows working hard up front, continued to penetrate.

Burrows shot just wide after another good forward move and in the 42nd minute he was responsible for the third goal which further sank Village's spirits.

After beating a couple of players, Burrows swung in a good cross from the right and the unmarked David Burchall guided a free header into the far bottom corner -- the best goal of the game.

The visitors were confident enough to play the final two minutes of the first half with 10 players after midfielder Andre Bean was carried off with a leg injury in the 43rd minute.

The Somerset coaches delayed making a substitution, probably in the hopes that he would return after the break. He did not, as David Rahman came on as a replacement at the start of the second half, while Village replaced Kevin Jennings with Neil (Diamond) Robinson.

From the kick-off Somerset almost scored a spectacular fourth goal when, from inside the centre circle, Burchall spotted 'keeper Zane Hendrickson off his line and unleashed a shot that dropped only inches over the crossbar.

Village continued to battle to for a share of the points but it was clearly not going to be their day when Kentoine Jennings shot over the top from less than 10 yards after the ball was laid back from an indirect free kick on the corner of the six-yard box after Keenan Tucker was blown down.

Late in the game Andrew Rahman went close with a volley from 20 yards after Karl Roberts' free kick from further back was half cleared.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; Mar.Dill, Ken.Jennings, K.Binns, R.Spence (Maceo Dill 64 mins), J.Boyles, D.Warren, M.Hansey, E.Jennings (T.Outerbridge 60 mins), S.Goater, Kev.Jennings (N.Robinson 46 mins).

Somerset: K.Tucker; G.Butterfield, R.Scott, K.Roberts, J.Richards, A.Rahman, A.Bean (D.Rahman 46 mins), D.Burchall (J.Duffy 83 mins), R.Burrows (R.Bascome 87 mins), C.Grant, O.Shakir.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell Men of the match: Michael Hansey (Village), Karl Roberts (Somerset) Yellow cards: Curtis Grant, Ralph Burrows, Rodney Bascome (all Somerset), Kentoine Jennings (Village).