Hamilton Parish turned back a lacklustre and uninspired performance by Devonshire Colts who failed to keep pace with the Somerset Trojans in their bid for the league championship.

Hamilton Parish got things rolling at Wellington Oval after Zane Stowe sent a powerful shot whistling past the left upright from 20 yards out.

Colts, undaunted by Parish's near miss, went on the offensive as Michael Holdipp beat his man into the box and fed a pass to Quincey Aberdeen.

The youngster, trying to pick his spot, shot weakly at the goalkeeper from 10 yards out.

Parish received three yellow cards on the day. Quinn Outerbridge and Chris Caisey were booked for kicking the ball away after Referee Rex Osborne had blown his whistle for offside and foul calls. Dennis Trott received the other for his high hard tackle on Colts' Leonard Hypolite. Jay Bean replaced the still injured Hypolite at the half.

Also, immediately before the half, Parish were again presented with an opportunity to score when Ernest Lathan received a pass from Gerald Place inside the six-yard box. Alone with no one to beat but the 'keeper, he sent a bobbled shot directly at Andre Hendrickson from three yards out.

Colts started the second half with a sense of purpose and were rewarded when Harrison Trott was able to force the ball home from close in after collecting a rebounded shot off Parish 'keeper Walter Brangman in the 60th minute of play.

Trott found the net two minutes later but the goal was disallowed as he was called for offside.

In the 65th minute of play, Parish's Quinn Outerbridge took Holdipp down hard from behind. Holdipp retaliated by butting Outerbridge in the face and was immediately given his walking papers as he limped off the field.

Parish made a double substitution bringing on Sinclair Gibbons and Irving Burgess for Quinn Outerbridge and Antwon Darrell. The move reaped immediate rewards as Parish scored six minutes later. Colts reduced to 10 men found themselves on the defensive and when the ball bounced out to Gerald Place after a failed clearance, he sent a shot into the chest of Hendrickson, who spilled it over the line to even up the score.

Colts had a golden opportunity to go regain the lead when Aberdeen stripped Chris Caisey. Aberdeen streaked in on the 'keeper and fired a blast that Brangman managed to steer away from goal.

Keishon Smith later replaced Aberdeen in the hope of revving up the attack.

However, it was not to be and Colts would have to settle for a share of the points.

Devonshire Colts: A.Hendrickson, C.Wright, M.Holdipp, D.Wright, D.Williams, A.Wilson, M.Ray, H.Trott, L.Hypolite, Q.Aberdeen (K.Smith, 76 mins), E.Weldon.

Hamilton Parish: W.Brangman, P.Webb, D.Trott, J.Nichol, C.Caisey, K.Simons, Z.Stowe, G.Place, E.Lathan, A.Darrell (I.Burgess, 64 mins), Q.Outerbridge (S.Gibbons, 64 mins).

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Harrison Trott (Devonshire Colts); Walter Brangman (Hamilton Parish).