Boulevard players, team officials and loyal supporters must have tossed and turned in their sleep last night after a controversial 95th minute Mackie Crane equaliser sent this urban FA Cup second round derby into extra time and a Nakia Smith sizzler catapulted the Reds through to the quarter-finals.

It was a match Blazers dominated two thirds of, and one they should have had all sewn up after 90 minutes.

Instead, referee Anthony Mouchette inexplicably sought fit to add on five minutes of stoppage time, providing Village substitute Crane, pictured below, just enough time to work his magic ? or cash in on his luck ? after his strike was allowed to stand although the player appeared to be standing in an off-side position at the back post.

Smith then kept his goal-a-game record intact since returning to Village last month, making absolutely no mistake from close range with a shot that ballooned into the roof of the net and sealed Blazers? fate.

Pity, though, Blazers die-hard supporters will never know the full extent of their team?s anguish ? that of being floored by a late double-whammy ? as top brass at the Premier Division club have prohibited team members from speaking to the Press.

Despite missing several key faces from their squad, Blazers out-hussled, out-witted and, at times, out-played their illustrious rivals only to be undone near the end by a questionable ruling.

But the reality is that it?s goals that win games ? especially in cup ties. And it was here where Village?s cup pedigree shone through yesterday?s overcast conditions at BAA Field as the seven-time FA Cup champions made the most of limited chances in front of goal and then weathered the storm over the closing minutes as Blazers poured on the pressure in search of a late equaliser in encroaching darkness.

Reduced to ten men, Village clung desperately to dear life during the final 16 minutes of this riveting derby following goal-hero Keith Jennings? ejection for a senseless second yellow card.

Having already committed an unnecessary offence late in regulation time, Jennings ? on as a 33rd minute replacement for injured cousin Jemeiko Jennings ? kicked the ball away after the referee had blown the whistle, thus giving Blazers the numerical advantage.

Given a slight edge, it only seemed a matter of time before the home team would capitalise as they pinned downed the Reds defence and piled on the pressure.

Often, though, creative approach work ? particularly on the part of Raymond Burgess, Dwight (Payback) Warren and Angelo Simmons ? was either lofted over the bar, sliced wide or hastily cleared away by an anxious Village defence, allowing the Reds to cling on to Smith?s 101st minute winner and scamper through to the last eight of the prestigious competition.

The final chapter of this urban derby proved to be a far cry from the opening half which was just about as exciting as watching paint dry with both teams intent to feel their way around like the proverbial pack of blind mice.

It would take a bit of sheer magic on the part of both clubs to finally unlock opposing defences and compensate those who braved the elements for this Sunday clash with Village firing in the opening salvo after Keith Jennings cleverly finished off a move he had started in midfield.

Baffling the Blazers midfield with a cunning dummy deep in Boulevard terrain, Jennings then timed his run behind the defence to perfection and pounced all over a Damon Edwards? pass that spilt the defence and provided the former with a free run at goal.

Jennings made no mistake as he calmly steered his shot to the right of the advancing Shejuan (Shabba) Swan who produced another stellar performance between the sticks to keep his team afloat ? as did his counterpart Jason Williams at the opposite end.

However, Village?s joy soon turned to despair as Burgess scored a sensational equaliser two-minutes later ? and perhaps the goal of the season.

With all the confidence and composure in the world, Burgess controlled a high ball on his chest and then on his right thigh before rattling the back of the net with a rasping volley from the edge of the 18-yard box that dipped into the top right hand corner ? it was a goal only worthy of a FA Cup final itself.

It proved to be the second setback for Village of the opening half as Jemeiko Jennings limped off hurt after challenging for possession of the ball near midfield.

Blazers frontline of Simmons, Michael Parsons, Burgess and Gregory Johnson ran tirelessly down the flanks and were often fed by the industrial Warren ? the most senior player on the pitch ? who must have touched every single blade of grass during the afternoon.

Still, a 1-1 scoreline at the break more than justified the first half as possession was about evenly shared between the two clubs.

But it would not remain that way for long as Blazers came out all guns blazing when play restarted and took the lead through a 64th minute strike from Burgess. Attempting to cut out a threatening cross in the area, Village ?keeper Williams ? back from college for the Christmas break ? committed himself at the near post and was left stranded in no man?s land, leaving Burgess the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

From here both teams continued to create chances although Blazers seemed more intent to keep numbers behind the ball and protect their slim advantage.

Conversely, Village made a tactical decision to substitute full back Randy Spence in favour of thrusting an aggressive Crane ? who had a goal disallowed in extra time ? into their attack while player/coach Kentoine Jennings also lounged forward to aid his team up front.

And Crane?s presence would impact the match albeit, perhaps, with a little help from the referee who added on five minutes ? despite little or no stoppages at all in regulation time.

Crane, returning to action after missing the last few games, ultimately turned the match on its head and breathed life into Village?s cup hopes by beating Swan with a firm low drive from four yards deep into injury time.

Whether or not the player was on-side is sure to be the focal point of discussions for some time as this last gasp strike set the stage for Smith to finally settle the issue.

: S.Swan, C.Trott, Jahmarley Samuels, S.Lewis, J.Payne, G.Johnson (D.Simons, 85 mins; D.Samuels, 90 mins), J.Samuels, M.Parsons (C.Simmons, 76 mins), D.Warren, A.Simmons, R.Burgess.: J.Williams, K.Dill, M.Hansey, Kent.Jennings, R.Spence (M.Crane, 85 mins), D.Edwards, T.Burgess (K.Dill, 73 mins), J.Jennings (K.Jennings, 33 mins), N.Smith, R.Bean Jr, V.Tankard.: Jahmarley Samuels, G.Johnson, R.Burgess, J.Payne (Boulevard); D.Edwards (Village).: Keith Jennings (Village).S.Swan (Boulevard); R.Burgess (Village).: Anthony Mouchette.