The never-say-die approach that swept Devonshire Cougars to League and Friendship Trophy glory last season again came to the fore at the Den on Tuesday night.

With Somerset Trojans seemingly destined for a berth in the second round of the FA Cup, Aljame Zuill sent the tie into extra time where Mark Steede delivered the to catapult Cougars through to the next round of the prestigious competition they have yet to win.

Trojans had led through a second-half Stephen Astwood strike.

The Big Cats have finished runners-up on four occasions, most recently in 2004 when they lost to Dandy Town in a replay.

Cougars? first appearance in the final came in 1959 when they were referred to as Devonshire Lions.

Cougars, who trailed on three occasions, drew 4-4 with Trojans after extra-time in Sunday?s first clash at Somerset Cricket Club.

?This wasn?t a fluke. This team plays until the final whistle blows,? stated Cougars assistant coach Gary (Tuba) Mallory. ?This is a young team and they have progressed to the stage where they never give up, and it is showing.?

Mallory, a former assistant coach at Trojans and former Cougars forward, said football was the real winner of Tuesday?s replay at the Den.

As for the large turn-out for the match, Mallory said: ?It reminded me of the days when I was playing. You had two good teams going at it and the crowd responded.

?It was all about guts and determination and these two matches had it all. Both teams wanted it bad and it was just unfortunate somebody had to lose.?

As for Zuill?s last-gasp heroics, Mallory noted: ?That was just unbelievable and a memorable moment for the players and everybody else who was there.?

It was the fourth time this season Trojans, who have a poor track record playing cup ties at the Den, allowed a match to slip from their grasp at the death.

Mallory said Cougars ? who spent last weekend at Grotto Bay Hotel ? went to great lengths to prepare themselves for the clash with the nine-time cup champions.

He managed to remain calm on the bench in the closing minutes with Cougars trailing for the fourth time during the cup tie.

?The coach (Bascome) kept telling us ?it?s not over till the final whistle blows?. That?s the sort of inspiration that he brings to this team and so my hat goes off to him,? Mallory, whose son Ijahmon features in the heart of the team?s defence, added.

Mallory took delight in watching Mark Steede jump off the bench and score what was perhaps his most crucial goal to date, a low drive in heavy traffic which nestled inside the far post and sent Cougars fans into ecstasy.

?We made three substitutions and so our hopes were that one of the players that came on would get the job done. And it was good to see it fall for Mark. Somebody always pops up for us when it matters most and that?s what makes this a great team,? he said.

With Trojans now out of the way, Cougars turn their attention to the defence of their Premier Division title and Sunday?s pivotal home match with pesky rivals Dandy Town.

Town edged Cougars 2-1 in last month?s Martonmere Cup semi-final.

?I guess you can say it?s back to the drawing board for us,? said Mallory, optimistic key player Heys Wolfe will be fit for Sunday?s clash.

Wolfe and Mallory?s son Ijahmon picked up injuries in the match, the latter limping off in the second half holding an ice pack to his right ankle .

Mallory is now doubtful for Sunday?s game ? perhaps opening the door for Jamal Simmons to return to the Big Cats? defence.

According to club sources, Wolfe sought treatment yesterday for a slight ?Charlie Horse?.