captured last season as they exited the FA Cup courtesy of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Boulevard at PHC Stadium yesterday.

While neither side played particularly well the Blazers had one more shining moment than their opponents when Carlos Pearman shook the rafters with a thunderous header seven minutes before the half to give Boulevard the only goal they needed for victory.

The Zebras casualty list has been well documented and while they welcomed back skipper Mike Dill to an ailing defence they were still short of able bodies, which was emphasised by the inclusion of coach Jack Castle on the team sheet as an emergency substitute.

Dill linked up with Derrick Douglas and full-backs Dano Outerbridge and Mark Wade but as the match wore on holes were exposed especially along the left side where Wade endured a nightmarish match marking Amon Brown, who always seemed to find room to roam.

Nevertheless, the early chances would fall the way of the home side, the first after just two minutes when Dano Outerbridge overlapped from his right-back position to send in a floating cross. The ball grazed off the head of Boulevard's Kenneth Darrell to Shawn Simons at the far post but his diving header sailed wide.

Next to take the stage was Ottis Steede who snaked his way into the Boulevard penalty area only to have his firm drive bravely blocked away by goalkeeper Mitchell Steede.

Play was even through the first 20 minutes although the Zebras had the more clear-cut opportunities.

Meanwhile the Blazers executed their trademark short passing game, but were hesitant to pull the trigger when in position to shoot. Time and again solid build-ups bogged down up front as they were often guilty of two and three touches too many.

In defence they were often a bit too relaxed and casual -- Leroy Stevens in particular -- and they almost paid for this in the 21st minute when they reacted slowly to a long clearance by Frank Ming in midfield, allowing Shawn Simons to burst free on a breakaway.

On this occasion they were fortunate in that the youngster fumbled as he prepared to shoot and while he recovered to eventually get a shot off this was deflected over the crossbar by a sliding Darrell.

Boulevard finally began to exert pressure heading toward the interval and Vernon Symonds forced Ty Williams into a sprawling save of his curling 25-yard strike after 36 minutes.

The resultant corner would bring even greater success with Pearman, replacing suspended Kenny Hill at the striker position, challenging the 'keeper for an inswinging right-wing corner by Albert Smith and heading the ball with great force through the normally sure hands of Williams.

Less eventful than the first, the second half saw players simply going through the motions, much to the dismay of spectators, with PHC apparently resigned to their fate and Boulevard content to sit on their lead.

There was one notable moment when Johnny Boyles unleashed a scorching volley that just dipped over the bar nine minutes into the second half.

PHC: T.Williams; D.Outerbridge, D.Douglas, M.Dill, M.Wade; F.Ming (J.Raynor, 71 mins), O.Steede, B.Simons; S.Simons, K.Mills, M.Smith.

Boulevard: M.Steede; D.Boyles, L.Stevens, K.Darrell (N.Hull, 90 mins), V.Eve, A.Smith, V.Symonds, J.Boyles; A.Brown (K.Hodgson, 87 mins), C.Pearman, D.Warren.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Shawn Simons (PHC); Dean Boyles (Boulevard).