Devonshire Colts 2, PHC 0 It was payback time for Devonshire Colts at chilly BAA field last night. A week after succumbing to PHC in the Dudley Eve Cup final on New Year's Day, Colts avenged that setback by knocking their conquerors out of the FA Cup competition.

This lively third-round clash saw Colts triumph on goals by hard-working midfielder Mark Ray late in the first half and then another from Sukai Waldron midway through the second.

Few would deny that Colts deserved the victory because they played with more desire and imagination while PHC often struggled, occasionally looking inept in defence and continually faltering up front with misdirected passes.

Play, though, was fast and exhilarating throughout with PHC taking a decisive edge early, the best chance coming after four minutes when a diving header by Craig Darrell was brilliantly pushed wide by goalkeeper Troy Hall.

Colts fought their way into the game with momentum after 20 minutes and Keishon Smith blew a good chance when he struck his shot wide from 16 yards after dribbling by three defenders.

Then came a series of close calls by Colts with PHC being let off the hook at least four times within a remarkable span of three minutes with shots destined for goal either blocked by defenders or hitting somebody in the back and scrambled away.

The shot of the came though came from PHC centreback Dano Outerbridge after 35 minutes, but his blast from 17 yards struck the post and was cleared.

Colts quickly recovered and Ray got them the deserved opener when his low free kick from 19 yards was only partially blocked by goalkeeper Jay Smith and rolled into the goal.

Colts dominated the early stage of play in the second half but their reward for hard work was delayed until the 74th minute when Waldron put the finishing touches to a Ellington Weldon cross, stroking the ball home from just inside the box.

Four minutes earlier Dano Outerbridge again had tough luck when his fierce drive from 24 yards was pushed wide by Hall, diving to his right to steer it outside for a corner.

PHC, playing without stalwarts Kenny Mills, Brian Anderson and Sheridan Ming, attempted to reinforce their lineup with substitutions after 55 minutes but the Colts defence held firm and refused to yield.

Colts skipper Shannon Burgess was the marshall in defence, getting valuable help from Jah Samuels and Makonnen Hollis in particular.

The arrival of Tokia Russell and Shawn Simons inspired PHC to play with more urgency. But even when combined with the move of Outerbrige from defence to midfield it failed to bring them the dividends that coach Jack Castle was hoping for.

Dev. Colts: T.Hall; M.Hollis, S.Burgess, J.Samuels, K.Burchall (G.Bean, 81 min); K.Smith, H.Trott, S.Waldron; M.Ray, E.Weldon, K.Lawrence PHC: J.Smith; E.Hunt, D.Outerbridge, M.Wade, C.Dowling; S.Lewis, B.Bean, M.Williams (T.Russell, 55 min); W.Trott, R.Lightbourne, C.Darrell (S.Simons, 55 min) Referee: Stuart Crockwell Men of the match: Mark Ray (Colts); Blen Bean (PHC)