Devonshire Colts earned a spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but not before being given a scare by would-be spoilers Somerset Eagles at BAA Field yesterday.

Just as the weather turned from balmy to monsoon, so did the fortunes of the West End club, their one goal lead swallowed up by the quagmire.

The visitors got off to a dream start, with Stevie Burrows spurring them into an early advantage. However, two second half strikes by Colts' forward Keishon Smith put paid to any notion of an upset.

Showing great energy and purpose, the underdog Eagles came out with guns blazing, more than matching their higher rated opponents with crisp ball movement and solid running off the ball.

Striker Dion Minors came close to heading Eagles into the lead nine minutes on, rising above a flat-footed defence to glance a floated free kick by Jerome Richards inches over the bar.

Fortunate on that occasion, Colts paid dearly for further sloppy defence in the 15th minute. Casual play by Jahmal Samuels, standing in as sweeper in the absence of Shannon Burgess, resulted in him being robbed of possession by Burrows who proceeded to round an exposed Troy Hall before shooting home.

Encouraged by such success, Eagles marched forward with increasing confidence.

Rodre Wilson should have doubled the edge after 21 minutes, but hesitation while in prime position cost him the opportunity.

Colts finally began to show their form during the final moments of the half, laying siege without reward as Eagles appeared to tire.

Torrential rain sent spectators scurrying for cover and flooded the pitch, but there would be no shelter for Eagles, as Colts pelted them with a barrage of their own.

Three minutes after the restart Colts were back on level terms, Smith allowed ample room by a baffled defence to connect with a Keenan Burchall free kick from the right side and thunder a header past a flailing Ricky Tucker in goal for Eagles.

Eagles were now clearly a spent force, their confidence shot, while Colts roamed as a predator seeking the ultimate kill.

That moment came in the 60th minute and again Smith supplied the fatal blow, this time using his trusted right foot as his weapon of choice.

A left-wing corner by Jermel Belboda fell inside the penalty area to Smith, who coolly side-stepped defender, Bray Saltus, before hammering a waist level drive past a maze of players camped near the goal-line.

Devonshire Colts: T.Hall; Jermaine Belboda, J.Samuels, McKonnen Hollis, Jermel Belboda; K.Burchall, L.Symonds (S.Waldron 82 mins), V.Ball; K.Smith, J.Richmond (H.Trott 76 mins), E.Weldon.

Someret Eagles: R.Tucker; G.Fenaroli, D.Woolridge, B.Saltus (D.Simons 70 mins), J.Richards (E.Callender 70 mins); S.Morrissey, O.Riley, R.Hill, S.Burrows; D.Minors, R.Wilson.

Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Keishon Smith (Devonshire Colts), Stevie Burrows (Somerset Eagles).