Dube's late goal sends Revs to first.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Kheli Dube's goal in the 89th minute helped the New England Revolution defeat Columbus, 1-0, last night, handing the Crew their first home loss of the season.

New England (6-3-1) moved into a tie with Columbus for first place in the Eastern Conference and has not lost on the road since April 3. The Crew fell to 6-2-1.

Dube's goal came seconds after Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer made a diving save on Shalrie Joseph's penalty kick. The penalty was called by referee Richard Heron in the 88th minute when Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson tripped Revolution captain Steve Ralston as Ralston moved the ball along the edge of the penalty area.

Hesmer went to his left to stop Joseph's penalty kick, but the rebound went to Dube, who scored his second goal of the season.

"I saw the guys fighting for a spot next to the box, so I tried to stay away from them," Dube said. "Then when the chance came, I made sure. I had to finish."

Joseph said he tipped his hand to Hesmer too early on the penalty kick.

"Giving away where I was going, that made it easy for him to save it," Joseph said.

But Joseph said he was relieved to see Dube bail him out. "It felt so great, because the whole team, we worked so hard to get that opportunity late in the game," he said.

Said Hesmer: "It's frustrating to do the hard part, and the easy part you can't make a save on. ... After you make a (penalty) save, you're hoping that's the end of it."

Crew coach Sigi Schmid said he had no qualms with Heron's decision to award the penalty to New England, but hinted that Dube must have entered the penalty area early to reach the rebound so quickly.

"Dube's either very, very fast, or he got in the box a bit early off the rebound," Schmid said. "We'll just assume he's very fast. It's just one of those things that happens."