For what ultimately proved to be a meaningless result Dandy Town and North Village played their second round Martonmere Cup match as though it were a championship final last night.

That both teams would advance to the semi-finals had all but been established heading into the game and by the midway point of the second half even their opponents had been determined.

But all that was forgotten as Town and the Red Devils battled to an entertaining 1-1 draw.

In an intense, high spirited contest, Village withstood an onslaught over the final half hour and were fortunate to come away with a draw. They obviously would have preferred a win because they had to defeat Town by two goals to avoid meeting high-flying Vasco in the semis next month.

Dandy Town will play Boulevard in the other semi-final.

Although this scenario was apparent most of the game it didn't prevent 90 minutes of hard tackles and sideway glances. Referee Kenneth Perinchief could have easily gone to his yellow card more than the three times he did.

Village who were leading at the half took the game to their hosts, but the Hornets equalised in the 71st minute when Reggie Tucker roared in from the left wing and drilled Darren Simons' cross inside the far post.

Village's best chance of the second half came from the foot of Sean Dill who somehow shot wide from point blank range after 55 minutes.

The unlucky Hornets had entered the dressing room at half-time behind despite having dominated play.

Town often self destructed within 12 yards of Steede thanks to too few shots and too many defenders. In contrast their own suspect defence was exploited in the 31st minute when Dill found himself one on one with 'keeper Antoine Lightbourne and with all day to pick his spot, took two steps before coolly sending his shot into the net.

The goal came only moments after the Red Devils had lost midfielder Sean Caisey courtesy of a bone-jarring collision with Rudo Wylie who was cautioned by ref Perinchief.

North Village: Nyon Steede, Kavin Grant, Kofi Dill, Irving Romaine, Randy Spencer, Leon Raynor (Michael Hawsey, 89 mins), Elliott Jennings, Sean Caisey (Kevin Jennings, 29 mins), Richard Wilson, Nakia Smith, Sean Dill.

Dandy Town: Antoine Lightbourne, Rudo Wiley, Maurice Lowe (Walter Musson, 70 mins) Scott Morton, Llloyd Christopher, Kurt Martin, Reginald Tucker, Lionel Furbert, Seydum Furbert, Carlos Smith, Darren Simons (Shakai Whitter, 85 mins).

Men-of-the-match: Village -- Sean Dill; D.Town -- Darren Simons.

Referee: Kenneth Perinchief.