Somerset Eagles 2

Devonshire Colts 1

Goals from Aquino Grant and Troy Tucker put Devonshire Colts back into the relagation dog-fight as Somerset Eagles beat the visitors at White Hill Field.

Terry Foote scored Colts' lone goal.

The loss, coupled with a Hamilton Parish win over Southampton Rangers now puts Hot Peppers level on points with Colts with a showdown between the sides scheduled for next weekend.

Although the loss was a setback, Colts coach Keishon Smith is still adamant two wins for the club will see them to safety.

"This is how the game goes," said Smith.

"Eagles defended their home turf and a few bad calls by the referee, but that's the game."

Colts took the lead in the 21st minute when Foote swivelled inside the Eagles area and floated his effort over Marcel Dill in goal.

They then had a genuine penalty claim when a goalbound effort was stopped by a hand on the Eagles line.

This seemed to spark the hosts who 13 minutes later found an equaliser through Grant who slotted his effort home from close range.

It wasn't until the second half when the deadlock was broken, Grant again the chief mastermind behind the goal.

Grant was hauled down in the box in the 56th and Tucker stepped up and planted his effort passed 'keeper Jason Wade.

It was then Antwan Russell's turn to have a chance at goal, but his effort was saved by Wade with the rebound falling to Tucker but the playmaker scuffed his effort.

Substitute Shakir Smith also had a chance to make the points safe but one of the misses of the season, a simple tap in from five yards, went wide.

Eagles had two claims for penalties when Russell seemed to be up-ended by Colts skipper Joseph Butterfield, but referee Ronue Cann said play on both occasions. Colts did have a chance late on to grab an equaliser but striker Mikre Pace pushed his effort wide with time running out.

With a pivotal game next week for his men, Smith said side's focus would be the same as it always have been, noting they still have the upperhand in the race for survival.

"We have always been in a battle with Parish.

"It is a very important game next week for both sides and we are looking to get the better of them," he said.

"We have a better goal difference but we want to get a positive result out of the match.

"Our focus is still how it has always been – two wins and we are safe.

"We still have to get the two wins and the job for us is only beginning."

Devonshire Colts: J.Wade, E.Wilkin, C.Durham, J.Butterfield, T.Foote, M.Burch (S.Perinchief,81), D.Smith, C.Trott (O.Ray,78), K.Jones, A.famous (M.Pace,81), M.Piper

Substitutes not used: R.Simmons, N.Bascome, V.Lambe, J.Nesbitt

Goals: Foote, 21

Yellow cards: C.Durham

Somerset Eagles: M.Dill, D.Seymour, D.Andrade, J.Bather, T.Davis, A.Russell, A.Grant, T.Tucker, J.Bean (S.Smith,66), A.Lambert, W.Tucker

Substitutes not used: K.Brown, R.Lee, D.Swan, J.Davis

Goals: Grant, 34, Tucker, 56

Referee: R.Cann

Man-of-the-Match: A.Russell (Eagles)