PHC blew a perfect chance to move out of the bottom two in the First Division standings at Southampton Oval yesterday when Hotels wiped out a two-goal deficit to snatch a vital point.

The Zebras were cuising to what looked to be a crucial victory after they struck in the 69th and 73rd minutes through Stephen Astwood and substitute McLee Smith.

But Dennis Robinson matched that with two goals of his own in the space of four minutes to silence the PHC fans on the northern bank and keep Hotels two points ahead of the bottom-placed Zebras.

The last four places remain unchanged after Devonshire Cougars' loss on Friday was followed up by draws involving the other three teams involved in the fight for survival. Two points still separate the four bottom teams.

"Those are two vital goals,'' said Robinson of his two strikes.

"That keeps PHC still behind us instead of in front and also puts Cougars behind us by a point. We'll take everything we can get because it's a dogfight now.'' A lacklustre first half performance by both teams reflected the tension with both sides aware that victory was vital.

It was PHC who applied the early pressure in the second half as they took the initiative with Frank Ming volleying wide of the near post after a move down the left by Blenn Bean.

PHC fans had been calling for substitute McLee Smith and it was no surprise to see the young striker warming up in the 58th minute. His introduction in the 61st minute proved decisive as the Zebras frontline was noticeably boosted by his arrival.

Astwood headed just over the bar as the pressure was kept on Hotels' defence.

The youngster picked up his game with the introduction of Smith as he set up a chance for captain Ricky Mallory in the 67th minute which was volleyed over the top.

Two minutes later the opening goal came when midfielder Brian Anderson slid a pass into the box where Astwood turned the ball on his left foot before shooting into the far bottom corner.

Zebras fans could hardly contain themselves and they were even more excited when Smith doubled the lead four minutes later, working with Mallory before racing into the box and hitting a low shot that went in off the body of goalkeeper Stefan Dupres as he fell back.

But as has been the case so often this season, PHC self-destructed as Robinson's first goal in the 76th minute helped turn the match. He made it 2-1 from close range after a short cross from the left by Marlon Lindsay.

Suddenly the pressure was on PHC as their defenders started to argue among themselves. Hotels seized the opportunity in the 80th minute when Robinson met a long throw from the right by Diallo Sharrieff and tucked his header inside the far post.

It was the first time since October 26 that Hotels had scored two goals in a league game and they nearly added a third in the last minute when Dion Wainwright's shot hit the post... much to PHC's relief.

"It always seems to take a goal scored against us for us to pick up our game, but it's our attitude that says `we can't accept that', especially in the second half of the season,'' added Robinson.

"It's been an amazing turnaround and guys just don't want to get relegated.

We have a lot to play for. The league is our priority and once we get the league done we still have the Friendship final.

"We need to keep things going and keep it on a roll. We have played three games in six days. Physically it is tiring but we are looking forward to the break next week (FA Cup). It's much needed and much deserved.'' Hotels: S.Dupres; F.Francis, D.Sharrieff, W.Crockwell, Q.Francis, C.Sabir, D.Robinson, D.Wainwright, J.Weeks (S.Gair 84 mins), M.Lindsay, C.Crichlow (W.Campbell 69 mins).

PHC: E.Bean; E.Hunt, S.Smith, R.Lewis, C.Dowling, E.Dowling, B.Bean, R.Mallory, B.Anderson, F.Ming (M.Smith 61 mins), S.Astwood.

Referee: Anthony Mouchette Men of the match: Dennis Robinson (Hotels), Stephen Astwood (PHC).