The Premier Division championship was virtually reduced to a three-horse race after fourth-placed Devonshire Cougars lost further ground to all but end their title hopes.

The Dudley Eve and Friendship Trophy holders slumped to their third league loss after losing 1-0 at home to Robin Hood yesterday and are now 13 points behind leaders North Village with only five games left.

Donte Brangman, the Hood midfielder, scored the winner against a Cougars side who had Kioshi Trott, the goalkeeper, and Lamont Brangman, the substitute striker, sent off either side of the half.

Omar Butterfield’s team are off to a slow start in the second half of the season, having yet to chalk up a league win in the new year.

North Village, PHC Zebras and Robin Hood are the three teams still in the thick of contention for the Premier Division title.

Only three points separates leaders Village from third placed Robin Hood.

Village remain one point ahead of second placed PHC Zebras thanks to Kieshen Bean’s second half winner in a 1-0 home win over Flanagan’s Onions who remain in the relegation zone.

PHC edged bottom team Devonshire Colts 2-1 at Police Field to remain hot on Village’s heels.

Jaavaid Warren-Smith, the forward, gave PHC the lead before Mazhye Burchall doubled the visitors advantage with a well taken goal from an angle.

Kyle Jones, the Colts striker, pulled one back for the home team but PHC held on for the win.

Scott Morton, the PHC coach, was delighted to come away with maximum points but far from pleased with his team’s display against the bottom dwellers.

“I wasn’t happy at all but I definitely appreciate the three points,” Morton said.

“It [the performance] was terrible today compared to how we know how to play.

“The first half was absolutely terrible and I even told the players they should give the fans back half of the money because it was half-time.

“We have work to do understanding when a game is difficult if we are not playing our style what we need to do.”

Boulevard’s two-game winning streak came to a grinding halt when they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Premier Division champions Dandy Town, whose revival under new player-coach Kwame Steede continued.

Damon Ming put Town ahead but Blazers came storming back and were back on even terms two minutes later after Antoine Famous equalised.

The visitors then surged in front when Ian Coke, the Boulevard striker, scored just before the break.

However, the Blazers’ bid for a third successive league victory was dashed when Angelo Simmons, the Hornets captain, converted from the penalty spot early in the second half after the visitors handled in the box.

Somerset Trojans remained in sixth despite beating eighth placed Somerset Eagles 2-1 at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday night.

The hosts were forced to chase the game after Eagles went ahead through a goal from Alizay Furbert.

Trevin Ming, the Trojans captain, eventually cancelled out Furbert’s early opener before Justin Corday sealed the victory in spectacular fashion when he crashed a bouncing ball home from 35 yards.