A fine goal by Nakia Smith after 25 minutes in this Martonmere Cup clash at BAA last night gave Wolves the point they needed to get through to the semi-finals.

Smith latched on to a defence-splitting pass from hard-working midfielder Anthony Thomas, and then brushed off a challenge from Colts skipper and centre-back Shannon Burgess before unleashing a right-footed drive that beat goalkeeper Troy Hall.

Wolves needed only a draw to edge out their opponents on goal difference in the qualifying group.

The goal cancelled out Aljame Zuill's opener for Colts, who really should have made more of the many opportunities that came their way.

They suffered bad luck in the second half when shots hit both the goal-post and bar, Zuill slamming a 19-yarder off the woodwork just 30 seconds after the restart and Jermaine Aberdeen striking a 16-yard drive against the bar after 81 minutes.

But Colts had plenty of luck on their side when they scored their only goal.

Seemingly expecting a whistle for offside or some other infringement, Wolves' defence stopped and watched as Zuill raced through the middle unchallenged to place the ball past a stunned Cymande Davis after 21 minutes.

Skipper Burgess and Aberdeen had combined to provide Zuill with the pass.

Spurred on by Thomas in midfield and Ellington Weldon and Nathan Webb up front, Wolves fought back and got the equaliser through Smith four minutes later.

They could have gone ahead after 33 minutes when Weldon placed the ball wide from close range after goalkeeper Hall mishandled.

Colts, though, came back as Zuill put a good effort just wide as Frankie Brewster Jr. challenged from the right and Wolves finished the half with Webb volleying a Torry Davis cross wide.

After a half in which they held a slight edge, Colts pinned down their opponents for a long period with Zuill always a threat to the defence.

After hitting the post he followed up by blowing a chance when he headed Wayne Henry's cross over from close range.

Wolves, struggling to advance deep into Colts half, finally came into the game after 73 minutes with Weldon putting his angled shot from 14 yards at Hall and Smith following up by shooting wide from 16 yards.

Colts responded after 81 minutes when Aberdeen hit the bar but that was all they could manage as Wolves' defence refused to yield during the final stages.

Dev. Colts: T.Hall; J.Simmons, S.Burgess, D.Wright, C.Durham (D.Trott, 80 mins); J.Aberdeen, S.Henry, T.Smith; A.Zuill, M.Gibbons (J.Laws, 70 mins), K.Lawrence (R.Saltus, 75 mins).

Wolves: C.Davis; T.Davis, F.Brewster, L.Simmons, T.Trott; A.Thomas, P.Sampson, S.Berkeley (J.Peniston, 50 mins; C.Lopes, 85 mins); E.Weldon, N.Webb (C.Smith, 78 mins), N.Smith.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Aljame Zuill (Colts); Anthony Thomas (Wolves).

Yellow cards: Wayne Henry (Colts), Tito Smith (Colts).

Red cards: None.