Two goals from Carlos Smith and one from Darren Simons booked last year's beaten finalists Dandy Town their place in the quarter-finals of this year's competition at St David's yesterday.

Early on, when Vernon Eve levelled the score within a minute of Smith's first strike it looked as though Boulevard would give the Hornets a stiff test.

And they were still very much in the game at half-time, despite trailing 2-1.

But when a perfect cross from substitute Kris Martin set up Smith for his second goal after an hour, it became an uphill struggle for the Blazers.

And the task became almost impossible when Albert Caisey's sending-off 15 minutes from time left them battling to claw their way back from a two-goal deficit with only 10 men.

An action-packed game got off to a lively start when Smith gave Mitchell Steede no chance with a well-struck shot after just nine minutes.

But Town were still celebrating when Eve hit back with the next attack of the game to put the Blazers back on level terms a minute later.

And, shortly after equalising, Boulevard came close to going ahead when Dwight Warren almost got on the end of a good through ball from Dean Boyles.

Simons missed two easy chances before he finally put Town ahead after 25 minutes. He had the simple task of slotting the ball past the 'keeper after Peter Sampson ran past Boyles to set up the chance with a fine cross.

Anthony Manders was solid in the Town goal as Boulevard pushed forward in a bid to find the equaliser.

But Boulevard got caught on the break when Martin found the head of Smith to put Town two in front with half an hour left.

Smith was then given a well-earned break when Ascento Russell came on to replace him for the last 20 minutes.

Boulevard deserved a goal mid-way through the second half when a bullet from Dwight Warren rebounded off the crossbar after leaving Manders stranded.

But the Blazers finally fizzled out when Caisey was ejected. Russell was clean through when Caisey brought him down, and having previously shown the Boulevard man the yellow card, referee Rex Osborne had no choice but to reach for the red.

A series of neat moves from Warren, Boyles and Vernon Simons lacked the finishing touch, but Boulevard's determined efforts ensured that few of the fans went home early.

The introduction of Martin paid rich dividends for Dandy Town who had an easier day than acting head coach Devarr Boyles could have hoped for after the substitute set up the goal that sank Boulevard less than 10 minutes after coming on.

And the one-man advantage in the closing stages ultimately enabled the Hornets to ease into the next round.

Boulevard: M.Steede, L.Stevens, D.Boyles, A.Caisey, M.Trott, V.Eve, A.Smith (K.Hill 45 mins), W.Richardson, D.Warren, V.Simons, J.Samuels (D.Smith 51 mins).

Dandy Town: A.Manders, D.Sharrieff, W.Rudo, W.Campbell, D.Lewis, W.Musson, L.Christopher, P.Douglas, P.Sampson (K.Martin 51 mins), C.Smith (A.Russell 68 mins), D.Simons.

Referee: Rex Osborne Men of the match: Dwight Warren (Boulevard); Carlos Smith (Dandy Town).

CARLOS SMITH -- on target twice for Dandy Town