A missed penalty by Mark (Beaver) Ray after 38 minutes proved costly for Devonshire Colts in this First Division game at Frog Lane Field yesterday.

Ray could have settled the issue when Colts were awarded the spot kick after Jahmah Samuels was brought down by Dano Outerbridge. But his effort crashed against the post and rocketed out to the touch line.

And it wasn't the only setback for Colts. Following this mishap they had veteran midfielder Craig Smith sent off after 44 minutes when referee Chris Terry thought he fired a kick at a PHC player after being fouled.

Smith and his team-mates lodged a vehement protest with the player insisting that he only attempted to get himself loose after being tangled with two PHC players -- and his claim was supported by coach Vic Ball and other club officials. But Terry stood by his decision.

However, as was the case against Dandy Town in midweek, playing with 10 men only brought the best out of Colts who managed to lift their performance and pin PHC in their half for long periods in the second half.

The first half was uneventful with the defenders dominating. The only positive moves came in the first 20 minutes, from good runs down the right flank by Quincy Aberdeen of Colts and Ottis Steede of PHC.

After 21 minutes Colts right-back Jermel Belboda put an angled shot from 15 yards at goalkeeper Ellsworth Bean while PHC countered with Sheridan Ming chipping a cross from Winston Trott that goalkeeper Randy Darrell tipped over the bar for a corner.

The half ended with the missed penalty and Smith's dismissal.

PHC displayed more initiative when play restarted with Michael Trott firing a 19-yard blast inches over after just 16 seconds and brother Winston heading a Shawn Simons cross a foot wide of the post from close in. Centre-back Dano Outerbridge followed this up after 57 minutes by sending a dipping 25-yarder that goalkeeper Darrell just managed to gather.

But PHC fizzled after these raids and strangely allowed their 10-man opponents to call the tune of play.

Colts advanced forward without much difficulty and after 65 minutes Samuels crossed to striker Tajmal Webb whose sensational diving header from 10 yards went straight at goalkeeper Bean.

With skipper Shannon Burgess often advancing from his centre-back position to assist the attack, Colts continued to apply the pressure and were unlucky again after 66 minutes when Mark Ray's free kick from 18 yards was slapped wide by Bean. Webb then put the rebound outside.

Substitute McLee Smith had a chance for PHC after 85 minutes when he put a left-footed shot a foot wide from 12 yards, but the second half clearly belonged to Colts, though they will have to wait a little longer for their first league win.

Devonshire Colts: R.Darrell; J.Belboda, M.Hollis, S.Burgess, J.Jones; J.Samuels, M.Ray, C.Smith; Q.Aberdeen (S.Waldron, 59 mins), T.Webb, D.Ming (K.Dill, 76 mins).

PHC: E.Bean; A.Hunt, D.Outerbridge, M.Wade, R.Lewis; F.Ming, M.Trott (D.Rawlins, 75 mins), O.Steede; W.Trott, S.Ming, S.Simons (M.Smith, 60 mins).

Men of the match: Jamal Jones (Colts), Dano Outerbridge (PHC).

Referee: Chris Terry