Stephen Astwood took his goal tally to four in two games, hitting his second double in the Premier Division as PHC showed they could be a force to reckon with only a year after being relegated.

But in an exciting and at times bizarre game at St John's Field, they had one of three goalkeepers who played significant roles to partially thank for their victory.

Dandy Town stopper Antoine Lightbourne was in a generous mood, palming into his own net and having a hand in all three PHC goals.

Carlyle Crockwell, starting between the posts for the visitors, meanwhile, dropped the first clanger to allow Town to take the lead before being stretchered off.

And his replacment, Quincy Hunt, uncertain with his handling initially, recovered to make some important clearing punches and a breathtaking point blank save from Darron Simons to keep his side in the game when it was 1-1.

Referee Richard Knight, returning to the fray after a year out, was not allowed to ease back into it gently, having a hand in an extraordinary incident which saw Town centre back Sean Smith sent off and then re-called to the pitch.

In scorching heat and a blustery wind, it was end-to-end stuff before Town went in front after 19 minutes. Earl Richardson stepped up from left back to hit a low free kick past the wall which Crockwell allowed to slip from his grasp.

The desperate goalkeeper turned to try and scoop it away before it crossed the line but Knight was well positioned to see it was in.

Injury was added to insult as Crockwell stayed down after aggravating a knock he had received lengthy treatment for minutes earlier and, following a short delay, was carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Hunt.

PHC levelled in unusual circumstances a quarter of an hour later, moments after they saw two efforts cleared off the home side's line during one of the game's many frantic goalmouth scrambles.

Lightbourne came out of that incident in a crumpled heap and also needed treatment; goalkeeping substitute Jason Smith was warming up but the first choice recovered, acrobatically tipping over Duval Wilson's excellent shot on the turn from 25 yards.

Astwood's double sinks Town From Page 27 From the resulting corner, however, he flapped at the ball and as it seemed set to go in at the near post, Sean Smith leapt at it and palmed it apparently off the line.

Knight had no option but to issue Smith with the red card and award a penalty but, as Smith trudged to the dressing room, linesman Cal Simons signalled that the ball had crossed the line and Knight awarded the goal. The referee was immediately surrounded by a bunch of furious Town players who were joined by coach Mark Trott in their protests.

They pointed out to Knight that if a goal was to be awarded, the ball must have been dead when Smith handled it. The referee was man enough to reverse his decision and Earl Richardson, who at first seemed to have got his marching orders himself was, it transpired merely being dispatched to retrieve Smith.

Knight did, however, confirm at half-time that Smith had been cautioned.

Eight minutes into the second half two more pieces of goalkeeping decided the outcome.

Devarr Boyles whipped in a perfect ball for Simons who seemed certain to score but somehow Hunt kept the ball out. Almost immediately it was transferred upfield where PHC won a free kick on the left. The ball was tapped to Otis Steede who curled in a hanging cross which Lightbourne again lost and Astwood lobbed the ball home.

In the 66th minute, PHC got their third, Astwood, just two yards out, getting his thigh to a looping ball that had again emerged from a scramble which Lightbourne had failed to deal with and it went in off defender and post.

Kevin Hurdle, a Town substitute for Pernell Douglas almost pulled one back, having two opportunities to force the ball home as PHC got bodies in the six yard area as if their lives depended on it.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, W.Rudo, S.Smith, B.Burton, E.Richardson, P.Douglas (K.Hurdle 60 mins), D.Boyles, S.Tuzo (K.Steede 69 mins), L.Furbert (K.Smith 82 mins), H.Wolfe, D.Simons PHC: C.Crockwell (Q.Hunt 19 mins), R.Lewis, E.Hunt, J.Sealey, E.Dowling, C.Furbert, O.Steede, A. Washington, S.Astwood, D.Tillman (K.Mills 60 mins), D.Wilson (R.Lightbourne 70 mins) Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: Lionel Furbert (Town); S.Astwood (PHC) Yellow cards: Sean Smith (Dandy Town) Roderick Lewis, Andre Washington (PHC) Red cards: None