PHC 3 BAA 1 PHC moved back into the top four in the First Division after three first half goals set them on their way towards their first win since October 15.

Their own three-game losing streak was matched by BAA's unbeaten three-game run coming into this match at PHC Stadium as both teams looked to improve their position in the standings.

PHC showed their intentions right from the kick-off when, inside the first minute, they went close through a diving header from Mark Wade after he reached a Sammy Swan free kick on the right.

At the other end BAA midfielder Andre Thompson drove a 30-yard free kick inches over the bar for BAA's first attempt at goal.

PHC fullback Damon Francis was an early booking for referee Frank Drayton when he floored Clevie Critchlow with a late challenge in the 16th minute.

A case of bad communication among BAA's defenders led to PHC's opening goal in the 21st minute when, after a ball had been played into the box, Dennis Davis opted to try to clear it himself instead of leaving it for the advancing Paul Hayward in goal.

But Davis paid the price for running the ball into the middle of his goal as Shawn Simons quickly closed in, forcing the now desperate Davis to try to boot the ball upfield.

However, it was blocked by Simons and rebounded into the roof of the net with Hayward out of position.

Play was even between the teams at that stage but it gradually tilted more towards the home team as they further increased their lead with a disputed goal in the 32nd minute.

Again a Simons challenge brought rewards, this time when he went up for a high cross from Winston Trott's deep cross from the right.

The goalkeeper got his hands to the ball above his head but he dropped it as he and Simons fell to the ground almost on the goal-line, and the ball touched Simons before going over the line. Despite protests from BAA players referee Drayton allowed the goal to stand, having been satisfied the challenge from Simons was legitimate.

BAA remained determined despite the setback and came close to pulling a goal back in the 42nd minute when Tillman Darrell lifted an overhead kick just inches over the bar from a Tito Smith corner on the right.

But in injury time the points were made safe by the Zebras who galloped away on a quick break on the right after Darrell failed to connect with a header to a Thompson free kick.

The ball stayed in play and with BAA players out of position, PHC quickly broke through on the right before Tokia Russell supplied the cross and Swan sidefooted a simple goal past Hayward.

BAA made a double substitution on the hour as Steve Irvine and Mark DeMoura came on for Paul Franco and Darrell. Six minutes after that they did succeed in pulling a goal back when Thompson scored from a Tito Smith corner on the right. At the other end Swan put a shot across goal and past the far post.

An even easier chance went begging soon after for PHC when Russell sidefooted wide of the near post after good work inside the box by Swan.

Some five minutes were lost when PHC lost experienced defender Mike Dill who was carried off with a leg injury. Kenny Burt came on to replace him in the 85th minute as Damon Francis, who had earlier moved into midfield, went back into the heart of the defence alongside Mark Wade.

BAA's Treadwell Walker was booked in the second half for a foul on Simons.

PHC: T.Williams; D.Francis, M.Dill (K.Burt 85 mins), M.Wade, R.Lewis; S.Ming, G.Simmons (S.Trott 77 mins), T.Russell, W.Trott, S.Swan, S.Dill.

BAA: P.Hayward; M.Thorne, S.Dill, T.Walker, D.Davis; D.Ashworth, A.Thompson, P.Franco (S.Irvine 60 mins), C.Critchlow, T.Darrell (M.DeMoura 60 mins), T.Smith.

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of match: Mark Wade (PHC), Andre Thompson (BAA).