merely 1-0 down at half-time.

But whether they can raise their game enough to erase that deficit in the second leg at St. David's tomorrow (2.30) is another matter.

The First Division leaders, who entered the first leg as favourites after beating Vasco and PHC, now find themselves in the underdog role against an in-form PHC team.

"We've got to pick it up a lot, but we've got to figure out what went wrong first,'' said captain Shannon Burgess after Sunday's defeat at Wellington Oval.

The last time Colts travelled to Wellington Oval, they hammered St. George's 7-0 on December 1 to move to the top of the First Division. But they hardly looked the same team on Sunday as PHC stung them with a goal inside the first minute.

Colts' performance must have left them wondering if the seven day break actually worked against them.

"I think in a way it did,'' said Burgess. "With the way our training sessions went, we were off a week and didn't really work hard. They (PHC) still played and their fitness was up.'' Burgess pointed to his own defenders as being at fault for the PHC winner on the weekend. Now their all-round game will have to be better if they are to overcome a Zebras team that is full of confidence in all departments.

"Our defence in the last couple of games hasn't been doing too well,'' said the captain.

"Today (Sunday) our front line didn't get us off the hook. This team can be its own worst enemy at times, but we thrive on challenges.'' If Colts, who have never lost in the final, are to win their third Dudley Eve title they will have to turns things around quickly. Certainly they have the players to score goals but the key will be whether Ellington Weldon will be fit enough to start. Without him on Sunday the front line wasn't as sharp as it had been in previous outings.

"Anything can happen,'' Burgess said. "There is still a 90-minute game left.

"We are supposed to have the best defence in the land so we've got to do better than we're doing right now.'' The key for PHC during what has been a busy period -- tomorrow's game will be their fifth in 14 days -- is the depth of their squad, thanks to college students Stanton Lewis, Blenn Bean and Tokia Russell.

PHC's five Dudley Eve titles already stands as a record and they now look favourites to win for the sixth time.

Coach Jack Castle has been able to make changes without affecting the team's rhythm. On Sunday he substituted the whole front line in the second half as Kenny Mills, Winston Trott and Duval Wilson came in for Russell, Sheridan Ming and Raynel Lightbourne.

In defence Desmond Burgess had to sit out after collecting three yellow cards.

The fact that he is now available means that Castle has one additional player for selection.

Tomorrow's action begins at 12.30 with the Premier Division Knockout Cup final between Southampton Rangers and Boulevard.

SHANNON BURGESS -- `we thrive on challenges'.