of the Crystal Palace Youth Cup final yesterday ensured an extension of the seasons of both North Village and Devonshire Colts.

The goal in question occurred in the last minute of regulation time and unfurled as young Vernon Phillips made a path toward goal and was tripped by a Colts defender and fell forward grasping the ball in anticipation of referee Kenny Perinchief blowing his whistle.

When this did not occur Phillips quickly released his grip, regained his footing and fired a shot against the crossbar with the rebound falling perfectly for Dill to slot home from a few yards out.

Dill's effort brought Village all the way back after Colts had created a seemingly untenable advantage in taking a 2-0 lead into the interval after producing a dominating first half display of attacking soccer.

Fullback Dennis Simmons gave a preview of things to come when in the eighth minute he fired a firm long range effort that forced a save by Village goalkeeper Don Vickers.

However, Vickers was not so fortunate a minute later as Damon Ming spurred Colts into the lead through a brilliant solo effort. After gaining possession just inside his own half the winger dribbled half the length of the pitch leaving a parade of defenders in his wake before completing the move with a searing drive into the roof of the net.

Colts rode the euphoria of this early strike, rocking Village on their heels and giving grave concern to stand-in coach Ralph Bean, who could only watch as his defence, led by David Thomas, fought the face of adversity.

The lead was doubled in the 20th minute and again Ming played a vital role as his curling right-wing corner found Nasir Maynard lurking unmarked at the far post and the midfielder obliged by nodding home a simple header.

Just as Colts dictated proceedings during the first half so did Village in the second.

Dill proved more than a handful for the defence with his close ball skills and jinking runs up the middle and on the flanks, while his attacking partners appeared to have heeded their wake-up calls.

Phillips reduced the arrears to a single goal in the 65th minute when he persevered to score past Thomas Smith after being twice denied. A bizarre chain of events saw his first shot blocked by the 'keeper, the second crash against the crossbar but the third managed to cross the goal-line.

The stage was then set for Phillips to create the tying goal for Dill, something that clearly rankled Colts' coach Jay Bean.

"I have no gripes about the guys' (players) performance,'' said Bean. "They gave 100 percent...I just wish the officials would always give 100 percent. They make some bad mistakes at the wrong times.

"These guys shouldn't be up here refereeing finals, even though it's a junior game. They haven't had any exposure in finals.'' Seeing things somewhat differently to Bean was his counterpart on the Village bench, who was of the opinion that the goal was indeed genuine.

"With the second goal I thought the referee had a lot to do with it, because I thought he gave an advantage (no call) to us,'' said Ralph Bean. "I think it could have been a penalty quite easily and that's what the player thought.

Then he composed himself and struck the crossbar and the other player followed up, which just shows that the guys weren't tuned out, they were always tuned in... "They never said `die'.'' Tomorrow night is the likely date for the replay, with the venue to be announced.

Devonshire Colts: T.Smith; D.Zuill, D.Simmmons, H.Burgess, A.Smith; N.Maynard, W.Raynor (E.Bean 59mins), V.Burgess; T.White, K.Hollis (W.Christopher 73mins), D.Ming.

North Village: D.Vickers; K.Dill (K.Hollis 75mins), D.Thomas, U.Fox, D.Jennings; S.Wilson (K.Talbot 59mins), V.Tankard, H.Outerbridge; W.Paynter, K.Dill, V.Phillips.

OUT OF MY WAY -- Devonshire Colts' midfielder Nasir Maynard attempts to brush off a tackle by a Village defender during yesterday's Crystal Palace Youth Cup.