Former league leaders Dandy Town sleepwalked through most of their First Division encounter against PHC on Saturday night, but awoke just in time to save themselves a point with a 1-1 draw.

The Zebras looked about to have their dream of a second league victory realised as precious minutes ticked away in the second half and them holding a 1-0 advantage courtesy of a first-half goal by Ottis Steede.

However, any thoughts of grandeur were rudely erased when Hornet striker Carlos Smith stepped up to produce a late equaliser.

Steede's goal was of outlandish proportion coming in the 12th minute after both teams had drifted through the early moments.

Promising teenager Tokia Russell was allowed to create on the right flank and he succeeded in crossing the ball into the middle where team-mate Raynell Lightbourne was good with his first touch to Steede.

A fortuitous deflection, which involved defender Troy Harvey, then saw the ball loop over the outstretched arms of a befuddled Town goalkeeper Anthony Manders.

Spurred by the strike, PHC almost landed the ultimate hay-maker a minute later, but Sammy Swan barely missed on a header from a right-wing cross by defender Dano Outerbridge.

Surviving the barrage, Harvey had the ball in the back of the home side's net in the 33rd minute, but referee Esten Curtis ruled this was due to an infringement and the Zebras were saved.

Play meandered through periods of lethargy ending the first half and for much of the second, providing little entertainment value for those who hung around blindly hoping for a resurgence...there was none forthcoming.

Few were able to distinguish themselves in the contest. Not to be faulted were Walter Musson and Kris Martin, who showed fight and determination but rarely received the required support from their Town team-mates.

Meanwhile, Mike Dill and his defence of Blake Simons, Outerbridge and Blenn Bean likewise performed admirably under trying circumstances.

With time of the essence the Hornets made a final push during the final 20 minutes provoking sustained periods of domination and pinning down their opponents.

But with each advancement came breakdowns at the crucial point of execution and the associated agony for Trott.

Just as it appeared PHC would escape with two points Smith appeared on the right spot save things for Town three minutes from full time.

A right-wing corner by Musson was nodded on at the near post to a lurking Smith, who planted his own header past 'keeper Damien Tucker.

PHC: D.Tucker; D.Outerbridge, M.Dill, B.Simons, B.Bean; O.Steede, M.Wade, T.Russell (M.Trott, 58 mins); S.Ming, S.Swan, R.Lightbourne (D.Wolffe, 78 mins).

Dandy Town: A.Manders; L.Christopher (W.Rudo, 50 mins), T.Harvey, W.Campbell, D.Lewis; P.Douglas, K.Martin, T.Lewis, P.Cann (D.Simons, 75 mins); W.Musson, C.Smith.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Blenn Bean (PHC); Walter Musson (Dandy Town).