A Chris Furbert thunderbolt catapulted visiting PHC Zebras to victory over defending league champions Devonshire Cougars at the Den yesterday.

Just when it began to appear as though both teams would have to settle for a share of the spoils, Furbert's spectacular effort from all of 30 yards slipped through the hands of Ricky Brangman Jr. to leave the not-too-long ago invincible Big Cats winless in their first two league outings of the season.

"This is definitely a big win for us," Zebras coach Kyle Lightbourne commented. "I thought the guys played really well today and I am happy with their performances.

"Cougars gave us a good run but I also thought we should've had the match sewn up in the first half."

Zebras dominated the opening stanza and with a better finishing in front of goal could easily have swept Cougars clean off the pitch.

"We were able to keep Kwame (Steede) quiet in midfield and that worked in our favour," Lightbourne added. Zebras went ahead on a header from Trinidadian striker Kesein Lewis on 20 minutes that resulted from a well measured Blenn Bean cross in the middle.

But Cougars regrouped after the break and levelled the scores through Steede who got on the end of a defence-splitting pass and buried his shot past Shae Smith in the Zebras' goal.

Smith, who normally plays in defence, deputised for Raymon Glasford between the uprights yesterday and proved that he is no slouch with the gloves either as he turned back a vicious Darius Cox free-kick to keep his team in the hunt.

But with the score locked at one apiece and a draw seemingly imminent, for the second time in seven days Cougars were dealt a crushing blow at the death as Furbert unleashed the beast to earn Zebras maximum points from a match that could have swung either way.

Zebras will now return to the Den tomorrow night to take on perennial nemesis Somerset Trojans in the Martonmere Cup semi final with their confidence soaring.

"This win will definitely boost the team's morale," coach Lightbourne said. "But I hope the guys can keep their feet on the ground because we still have a long season ahead of us."