North Village 3 PHC 2

North Village coach Shaun Goater hailed his team's character after watching them come out on top in a tough battle against title rivals PHC at Bernard Park.

On two occasions Village found themselves trailing against a determined Zebras who started the day two points behind Rams, and seven behind league leaders Dandy Town who beat Somerset Trojans on Saturday night.

The crucial victory ensures Village are still breathing down Hornets' necks on two points behind, and Goater insists his players have "the belief" to snatch the coveted championship.

"This was a big one for us," said Goater, "it was important we won to keep up the pressure on Dandy Town and we have the belief to win the title."

Despite going five points clear of yesterday's rivals, Goater said title hopefuls Zebras could not be written off just yet.

"This was a really tough game for us, really tough. They kept at us until the very end and it could have gone either way.

"But the fact we twice came back from goals down shows we have a lot of character."

Against the run of play, PHC winger Casey Castle gave the visitors the lead when he stabbed home a low, right wing cross from Stevie Astwood who managed to outmuscle Village left back Justin Sousa.

Rams' captain Sammy DeGraff then maintained his impressive goalscoring record from midfield this season with the goal of the game to give the scoreline parity.

From around 25 yards out, the former Bermuda Hogges player crashed a volley in off the underside of the bar after PHC had failed to clear their lines properly from a corner kick.

But Kyle Lightbourne's PHC were displaying plenty of character of their own and restored their lead on the stroke of half-time through workaholic striker Quinton Burgess.

The lone frontman found himself with a clear run on goal after latching onto Jevon Sealey's header as the Village defence parted like the Red Sea, giving Burgess ample time to fire past goalkeeper Jason Williams.

After the break Village stepped their play up a notch and it was no surprise when they pulled level with Terryn Fray blasting past 'keeper Ray Glasford after a rebound from Ralph Bean's volley had cannoned back off the bar.

Both teams continued to craft chances with Jason Lee squandering a good opening from Village, while a last-gasp sliding tackle from Kofi Dill denied PHC substitute Kevin Lambe with just Williams to beat.

Village flung men forward in the hunt for victory and it arrived with around 20 minutes remaining when striker Lee poked home from close range following a frantic goalmouth scramble.

North Village: J.Williams, T.Watson, J.Sousa (J.Jennings, 71 mins), S.Fubler, K.Dill, J.Briers, S.DeGraff, R.Bean, P.Smith, J.Lee, T.Fray

Substitutes not used: T.Outerbridge, Z.Hendrickson,

Goals: DeGraff, 36, Fray, 55, Lee, 72

PHC: R.Glasford, C.Dowling, O.Shakir, S.Tai-Smith (R.Richardson, 84 mins), M.Lambe, J.Sealey, B.Bean, S.Astwood (K.Lambe, 76 mins), C.Castle, Q.Burgess (J.Smith, 68 mins), C.Robinson

Substitutes not used: K.Griffith, K.Mills, M.Warren, K.Lightbourne

Goals: Castle, 18, Burgess, 44

Yellow cards: B.Bean

Referee: A.Francis

Man of the match: K.Dill (Village)