Two goals in the space of five minutes by PHC all but ended Vasco's hopes of a third league title last night at Somerset, as the Zebras opened a four-point lead over North Village.

Kenny Mills, taking on the scoring responsibilities in the absence of suspended Stephen Astwood, had a hand in all the goals.

Mills scored twice and set up the other for Raynel Lightbourne, who Vasco's defenders protested was in an offside position when he received Mills' pass for the second goal in the 71st minute.

And even after PHC's, third which made it 3-1, Vasco refused to concede defeat as they scored in the last minute and then had another shot cleared off the line in injury time.

The victory for PHC now leaves Vasco nine points behind the leaders. But with only three games remaining the most points they can finish with is 32, PHC's present total.

Vasco forced several corners and hit the woodwork after 12 minutes through Dwight Basden as they applied the early pressure. Then a freekick from all of 35 yards was firmly struck by Diallo Sharrieff and looked headed for the roof of the net before Crockwell tipped the ball over the bar.

Two of PHC's best chances in the first half came through Ricky Mallory, both going wide including a header into the sidenetting from a header following a freekick which found him unmarked at the far post.

If PHC were slower in starting, they were first out of the starting blocks in the second half.

Just three minutes into the second half Mills scored from the penalty spot after being fouled by Sharrieff who protested in vain that the challenge was made outside the area. Mills placed his spotkick low inside the post.

That goal opened the game up and within three minutes Vasco were back on level terms with Sharrieff making amends. A freekick from 25 yards by Sharrieff was driven past the PHC wall, forcing Crockwell to make a good diving save. From the corner on the left Sharrieff drove in a low shot to make it 1-1.

Vasco almost took the lead in the 69th minute when Clay Smith supplied the perfect cross from the right for Jermaine Belboda to head against the crossbar. Two minutes later they found out how costly that miss was when PHC went back in front.

A quick break upfield saw Mills slip the ball to Lightbourne on the edge of the box and he blasted a shot into the top corner. A couple of Vasco players protested to linesman Irwen Simmons for offside but the official stood firm.

In the 76th minute a similar Zebras break, this time after a Vasco throw-in on the left was cleared upfield, saw Mills plant a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box as Vasco were again caught off guard by PHC's speed.

In the last minute Vasco pulled a goal back when fullback Wayne Augustus' long range left-footed shot was parried above his head by Crockwell and Clay Smith followed up to knock in the rebound.

Then in injury time a high cross from a corner on the left caused Crockwell problems again before substitute Jamel Smith followed up to have his shot blocked on the line.

PHC: C.Crockwell; D.Wainwright, S.Lewis, R.Lewis, C.Dowling, O.Steede, K.Mills, E.Dowling (A.Washington 58min), R.Mallory (H.Tucker 74min), S.Swan, R.Lightbourne.

Vasco: T.Figureido; W.Augustus, D.Sharrieff, C.Roberts, D.Stapley, J.Belboda, K.Jennings, K.Burchall, D.Basden, C.Anderson (J.Smith 71min), C.Smith.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Kenny Mills (PHC), Diallo Sharrieff (Vasco) PHC's women's team suffered their first league loss when they went down 2-1 to second-placed Rude Girls in the opening match.

Dionne Pitt put the Zebras in front in the 22nd minute before Tamisha Darrell equalised two minutes before the break. Chevonne Furbert scored what turned out to be the winner for the league champions 10 minutes into the second half.