Kenny Burt popped up in the right place at the right time to give the home team Zebras a share of the spoils and a place in the Dudley Eve Trophy yesterday.

Carlos Smith opened the scoring for Town at the start of the second half and, with goalkeeper Anthony Manders in sparkling form, they appeared set to leave PHC Stadium with a hard-fought victory.

But Burt, whose touch after coming on as a substitute for Shawn Simons was hitherto unconvincing, yet again turned back the clock.

With five minutes remaining, Town struggled to clear from a corner kick and centre-half Dano Outerbridge struck a firm volley from the right side, which Burt neatly re-directed.

A Town defender on the line had a split second to react to the danger but his attempted clearance merely found the roof of the net.

The equaliser was no less than PHC deserved after carving out a host of chances which Manders was the equal to.

And Town nearly stole it at the end when Diallo Sharrieff rose to meet a Walter Musson corner. But Ty Williams, who did wonders for his side as well, tipped the goal-bound effort over the bar.

This match was not all about grace as both sides gave referee Stuart Crockwell plenty of work. There were some bruising tackles and one near melee with Kris Martin and Raynel Lightbourne central figures.

Defenders Anthony Stovell of PHC and Lloyd Christopher of Dandy Town, a first-half sub for injured Don Lewis, also tested Crockwell's patience with uncompromising play.

Booked were Sharrieff and Christopher of Town and Mark Wade, Blenn Bean and Lightbourne of PHC.

PHC began more purposefully with Sammy Swan and Sheridan Ming constant threats. Ming brought Manders' first save in the eighth minute after a good move through the middle.

Carlos Smith and Darron Simons caused some concern with their pace up front as Williams twice had to intervene after his defenders had been outstripped. At the other end, Lewis cleared a Lightbourne cross from Shawn Simons in a dangerous position.

The half ended with great excitement as Douglas' header from close in was saved by Williams and then Smith was put through by the combinations of Douglas and Darron Simons. But Williams advanced well and Smith's shot hit the post and was cleared.

PHC came right back with Shawn Simons hitting a fierce left-footer that caught Lewis in the midsection and ultimately knocked him out of the match. PHC had barely settled to start the second half when Smith pounced on a Wade error to open the scoring 20 seconds in.

Town enjoyed their best period from here and should have put the game away.

But, in the 57th minute, Williams produced his best save of the day to deny Darron Simons who was alone in front of the net after the PHC defence missed Carlos Smith's cross.

The equaliser, like so many of PHC's goals, came out of nothing but on the balance of play was deserved.

PHC: T.Williams; A.Stovell, D.Outerbridge, B.Simons, M.Wade; B.Bean, S.Ming, O.Steede (W.Trott, 78 mins); S.Simons (K.Burt, 68 mins), S.Swan, R.Lightbourne.

Dandy Town: A.Manders; G.Wilson, D.Sharrieff, W.Rudo, D.Lewis (L.Christopher, 44 mins); W.Musson, K.Martin, P.Douglas, R.Parsons; C.Smith, D.Simons.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Ty Williams (PHC), Anthony Manders (Dandy Town).