Otis Steede saved PHC's unbeaten league record with a 90th minute equaliser in a fiercely competitive clash with a double twist in the tail at Somerset on Saturday night.

The game looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw before PHC's Stephen Astwood was sent off for violent conduct with four minutes to go and 60 seconds later substitute Franklyn Simmons put Trojans ahead.

But with time running out on the Premier Division leaders, the tenacious Kenny Mills slipped between two challenges before being tripped by a third, to earn a free kick 22 yards from goal.

Dano Outerbridge nudged the ball sideways to Steede who cracked in a first-time shot, which Trojans keeper Keenan Tucker made no attempt to stop, apparently believing it was going wide. But embarrassingly for him it crept into the corner of the net.

It was a narrow escape for PHC, but it extended their unbeaten run to eight matches and after defeats for Colts and North Village yesterday, the draw was enough to increase their lead at the top to seven points.

But a draw was a fair result in this clash of tenants and landlords, played with unrelenting commitment from both sides in front of a large crowd.

The Zebras almost went ahead on the half hour when Tillman Darrell crossed from the right to Steede, who lost his marker with an excellent first touch, but then shot against Tucker's legs.

Seven minutes later, and against the run of play, Somerset went ahead. The move started when Michael Brangman appeared to completely mishit a shot at goal from 25 yards. The ball span kindly to Andrew Rahman who crossed low for Nasir Wade, who steered the ball home at the near post.

Zebras coach Sammy Swan brought on McLee Smith for Darrell in the 55th minute and within two minutes the move sparked an equaliser.

Washington found Smith, who shaped to shoot from the edge of the box, but instead passed the ball right to Steede. The Bermuda national team midfielder finished in style, lashing a right-foot drive into the roof of the net.

The aftermath of the goal brought a surge of Zebras pressure. First, Smith went close with a shot on the turn, then Mallory's cross was met first-time by Steede, whose shot was deflected inches the wrong side of the post.

Somerset hung on grimly and suddenly found themselves with a numerical advantage when a wild challenge by Astwood on Nadir Wade, yards away from referee George O'Brien, earned an automatic red card.

The resulting free kick from near the halfway line was punted forward and caused confusion in the Zebras defence, allowing Brangman to curl over a delightful cross from the right which saw Simmons head home from point-blank range.

There seemed no way back for 10-man PHC, but Steede popped up to grab his second and ruin the landlords' night.

PHC: C.Crockwell, E.Hunt, D.Outerbridge, A.Washington, H.Tucker, O.Steede, K.Mills, V.Ball (C.Furbert 58 mins), S.Astwood, T.Darrell (M.Smith 55 mins), R.Mallory (E.Dowling 77 mins).

Somerset: K.Tucker, A.Rahman, K.Roberts, R.Scott, T.Mallory (K.Burrows 74 mins), C.Grant (Nad.Wade 26 mins), A.Tucker, Nas.Wade, D.Burchall, D.Rahman (F.Simmons 53 mins), M.Brangman.

Men of the match: Otis Steede (PHC); Nasir Wade (Trojans) Yellow cards: Ball, Furbert (PHC); Burchall (Trojans) Red card: Astwood (PHC)