In-form Cougars provided the shock of the day with a battling performance which dumped their Premier League rivals out of the FA Cup at Devonshire Rec yesterday.

The Division One leaders, with three league wins out of four, were put on the road to victory by a Richard Scott own goal in the 28th minute -- a lob over his own goalkeeper of which many a striker would have been proud.

Scott made amends for his error ten minutes later, emerging as the final player at the far post and side-footing a volley through a defender's legs for the equaliser.

But Cougars took the lead again two minutes before the break with an excellent goal. Centre forward Mark Smith, who possesses a rasping shot, had just snapped an effort from the edge of the box a foot too high.

However, he was on the spot to rise and power home a fine header after the ball had been nodded back across goal by Phillip Clarke from Renaldo Clacken's excellent cross.

Clarke and Smith continued to give the Somerset defence a torrid time after the break and although the visitors had plenty of possession they lacked inventiveness up front to really test Ricardo Brangman.

Nineteen minutes from time Somerset thought they had equalised as Nadir Wade's progess was halted by some high kicking just outside the area. Andrew Rahman and Karl Roberts stood by the ball with the Cougars wall looking poorly positioned.

Roberts ran over the ball, allowing Rahman to curl a gentle low shot into the far corner but referee Anthony Mouchette halted the celebrations by pointing out it was an indirect free kick.

Clacken made sure for Cougars with a well-struck effort in the 86th minute after Oscar Samuels had collided with Trojans keeper Keenan Tucker and the ball had fallen loose to the right edge of the penalty area.

PHC 3 Som. Eagles 0 As expected, Premier Division table-toppers PHC advanced to the second round, though Somerset Eagles made them work for their victory.

Darrell sparks PHC victory From Page 29 Eagles applied much of the pressure in the opening 15 minutes, confidently taking the game to their high-riding opponents. But a spectacular opening goal in the 19th minute by Tillman Darrell helped PHC establish control.

The ball was played towards the edge of the Eagles box from a free kick midway inside the PHC half and Darrell turned and unleashed a shot from 20 yards that found the far top corner. At the half Darrell admitted it was the best goal of his career.

Another PHC summer signing, Vic Ball, should have made it 2-0 two minutes before the end of the half, but he put a shot wide from close range.

Eagles were in the match but lacked the final decisive touch in and around the penalty area. Seven minutes into the second half Ball made amends for his earlier miss when he shot low into the far corner.

Eagles' best chance to pull a goal back came in the 63rd minute when substitute Eddie Callendar steered a header from a corner towards the far post where Enwar Hunt headed off the line.

At the other end Eagles' goalkeeper Adrian Burrows made a couple of important saves to deny PHC but could do nothing to stop Stephen Astwood from making it 3-0 three minutes from the end.

Eagles were down to 10 men when the third goal went in as Tyrone Smith limped off with a leg injury. Moments earlier Burrows, who had a busy match, also received treatment for an injury as Eagles' spirited challenge faded.

Going to ground: Somerset's Shawn Riley evades a tackle by Devonshire Cougars captain Trevor Smith during yesterday's FA Cup game at Devonshire Rec.