Oh, how far the mighty have fallen.

Just two seasons ago Dandy Town were all but unstoppable and being touted as the team of the '90s, having captured a trio of titles including the league, Dudley Eve Trophy and Friendship Trophy.

Last year witnessed a slight drop-off as they were able to retain just one of those -- the Friendship Trophy -- but there was little doubt the Hornets remained an elite squad.

Enter 1995-96 and so far Town have been mediocre at best, emphasised by yesterday's 3-2 home defeat at the hands off PHC, a side in the throes of a rebuilding process and looked upon as easy pickings for a side of Town's supposed quality.

Two goals on either side of the interval by veteran Sheridan (Baldy) Ming and a well taken second half strike by Winston Trott proved a mountain too big to climb for the Hornets, who fell to their second defeat in six matches against just one win and three draws.

Town replied through Ascento Russell and substitute Khari Sharrieff and, in fact, were the more dominant side on the day, but were undermined by an early lack of finishing combined with deadly execution on the part of the visitors.

The match was played under demanding conditions, overnight rains having made the eastern end of St. John's Field a muddied mess with solid footing at a premium.

Electing to play with a strong wind at their backs in the first half Town pinned PHC on their heels from the outset and it seemed only a matter of time before they took advantage of this domination.

But it was PHC who struck first through Ming in the 21st minute, a sudden counter attack catching Town short at the back, with Trott dribbling up the middle and drawing two defenders before slipping the ball to his right to an open Ming, who produced a delicate chip to beat goalkeeper Cymande Davis.

Town stormed back and should have equalised through Smith in the 37th minute when he broke free in attack for a one-on-one with 'keeper Ellsworth Bean. But with the goal beckoning he blasted over the crossbar from all of 10-yards.

PHC wasted a golden opportunity seven minutes later as a glaring defensive error by last man Lloyd Christopher presented Shawn Simons a free avenue at goal. Simons though wasted the chance, his shot rebounding off the legs of an advancing Davis.

Smith went close again seconds before half-time, first having a goal-bound drive scrambled away for a corner by Bean and from the set piece watching in agony as his firm header glanced against the crossbar before dropping over.

The intensity increased following the break as Town sought the equaliser and again forced PHC to defend for long periods.

Mere seconds into the second half Russell was denied by the woodwork after a fine pivot-and-shoot move from 17-yards.

Russell finally found the target in the 57th minute as the conditions proved fruitful for him while undermining his opponents.

Smith played a vital part, racing down the left side before sending in a low cross that looked to be covered by centre-back Mark Wade. However, he slipped at the crucial moment allowing Russell in for the goal.

Four minutes later PHC restored the one goal advantage as a long ball forward by promising full-back Enwar Hunt sprung Trott, who outstripped a slow recovering Town defence before lobbing over Davis, once again straying well off his line.

Ming added insurance -- something they would ultimately need -- in the 74th minute and once again Trott was involved, again finding room to roam among the Town back four. Substitute Kenny Mills supplied a defence splitting pass and although Davis blocked the initial effort from Trott, he could do little to prevent Ming's as he was left with the simple task of side-footing into an open goal.

Substitute Khari Sharrieff brought Town back to within one in the 85th minute, scoring following a goalmouth scramble, but it was all too late.

The win moved PHC into seventh place, level with Town on six points and one ahead of defending champions Boulevard.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; A.Wilson, P.Place, L.Christopher, W.Rudo; M.Richardson (R.Parsons 67 mins), K.Martin, A.Russell, P.Sampson (K.Sharrieff 55 mins); C.Smith, D.Simons.

PHC: E.Bean; E.Hunt, M.Wade, D.Outerbridge, R.Lewis; W.Crockwell (K.Mills 64 mins), F.Ming, M.Trott; S.Ming, W.Trott, S.Simons.

Men of the match: Carlos Smith (Dandy Town), Enwar Hunt (PHC).

Referee: Esten Curtis.