Aljame Zuill pounced to score a late winner for Colts in a hard-fought game with a sting in the tail at White Hill Field yesterday.

Zuill stooped at the far post to head home a cross by substitute Jamaine Aberdeen three minutes from time to net his 14th goal of the season and give Colts the win they needed to climb out of the relegation zone. Even after the goal, there was still time for Trojans to have a man sent off and hit the crossbar as the game ended in drama.

Tafari Mallory was the Somerset player to receive his marching orders in the 90th minute after an assault on Aberdeen just yards away from referee Anthony Mouchette.

Mallory pulled back Aberdeen, dragged him to the ground and then trod on the leg of his prostrate opponent. He left Mouchette with no option but to send him off.

Mouchette had a busy afternoon, dishing out eight yellow cards as well as the red in a clash which was highly competitive rather than dirty.

Colts created the better chances and just about deserved their victory, but for the first half hour, it was Trojans who dominated play.

Zuill's late strike sinks Trojans From Page 25 With just seconds on the clock the visitors were almost gifted a goal when Colts keeper Kevin Bean made a hash of what should have been a routine save from Andrew Rahman's mis-hit shot. Luckily for Bean, his fumble fell to a defender.

After 12 minutes, from one of a string of Trojans' corners, defender Richard Scott headed powerfully goalwards, but his effort hit an opponent.

Colts' first serious goal attempt came in the 35th minute, when Ricky Saltus latched onto a long goal-kick by Bean and squared for the unmarked Zuill to shoot into the side-netting.

Two minutes later Trojans keeper Keenan Tucker arched his back to tip over a dangerous cross-cum-shot by Geron Trott. And as the home side's purple patch continued, Tucker made another excellent save, diving bravely at the feet of Saltus after Zuill had crossed low from the left.

Three minutes before the break, Saltus was foiled again by the keeper, after he shimmied on the edge of the box and fired in an 18-yard drive only for Tucker to scramble to his left to make the save.

Trojans ended the half on the attack, as Rodre Wilson capitalised on a stumble by Jermel Belboda and hammered a fierce shot which was gathered at the second attempt by Bean.

After the break, the game deteriorated into a midfield battle with the teams cancelling each other out and a goalless conclusion looking likely.

Rodney Bascome went close for Trojans, producing a sharp shot on the turn after being set up from a deft flick by Nasir Wade, but Bean made a fine save.

The game burst into life 12 minutes from time, when Colts skipper Shannon Burgess brought the ball out of defence and then ran through on goal after exchanging passes with Jahmah Samuels.

Burgess was hauled over by Bermuda team-mate Karl Roberts, earning the Trojans man a yellow card. That was not his only punishment as he fell badly and ended up limping off the field.

With Roberts' imposing presence gone, Colts sensed an opportunity and pressed for a winner. Trott's header was cleared off the line by Galvin Butterfield five minutes from time, before Zuill finally broke the deadlock.

Three minutes into injury time, Andrew Rahman almost levelled the scores with a speculative 35-yarder, which curled over Bean's head but cannoned away to safety off the bar.

Colts: K.Bean, J.Bekboda, S.Burgess, N.Samuels, M.Hollis (J.Simmons 45 mins), J.Samuels, G.Trott, T.Smith (W.Henry 63 mins), C.Hill (J.Aberdeen 76 mins), A.Zuill, R.Saltus.

Trojans: K.Tucker, K.Roberts (K.Burrows 82), R.Scott, A.Rahman, G.Butterfield, D.Rahman, T.Mallory, M.Brangman, Nas.Wade, R.Bascome (D.Bascome 76 mins), R.Wilson (A.Williams 55 mins).

Men of the match: Ricky Saltus (Colts); Keenan Tucker (Trojans).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette.

Red card: T.Mallory (Trojans).

Yellow cards: J.Samuels, A.Zuill, M.Hollis (Colts); A.Rahman, K.Roberts, R.Scott, Nas.Wade, G.Butterfield.