Somerset Eagles 4 Somerset Trojans 3

In traditional folklore it is the Phoenix that rises from the ashes to be reborn. In Somerset it is the Eagles.

Trailing 3-1 in this FA Cup second round clash, after surrendering a half-time lead, the First Division side looked dead and buried. But in a recovery even Lazarus would have been proud of, they regrouped and came storming back to grab three goals, the final and winning one just a minute before time.

"I can only think about the Father above," said a hoarse and breathless coach Albert Dowling afterwards, speculating on how his team were able to fight back to such good effect. "We don't know what is going on in an individual's mind, we can see they were struggling physically but it can effect their mental attitude as well.

"Having two goals to pull back can be very difficult against a team such as Somerset. They were not a pushover. They have great, intelligent and seasoned players who know the game. We are trying to knit things together, whereas Somerset have got things pretty well knitted.

"Wherever it came from I know that it is only through the Spirit of the Lord (that you can win such games)."

Lamaul Croften gave the Eagles a dream start by sliding the ball under Timmy Figuerido in the Trojans goal after just nine minutes.

It was a lead they were able to hold until half-time, but whatever Trojans' coach Mark Trott said to his team during the interval had the desired effect and they came out firing on all cylinders.

Rohann Simons grabbed the equaliser in the 48th minute, firing high into the net from the left hand side of the box after good work from Marvin Belboda.

Nine minutes later the provider turned goalscorer, as Belboda took on the entire Eagles defence in typical style before slipping the ball under Andrew Burrows.

The tide had turned and there looked like being only one winner, especially when Simons' mazy run ended in him being felled in the box.

Referee Stuart Crockwell pointed to the spot and captain Karl Roberts stroked the ball into the left hand corner.

Game over? No way.

Eagles' substitute Rodre Wilson lifted a bouncing ball over Figuerido, continued his run and slammed it into the back of the net to give his side some hope with just under 20 minutes left.

But surely it was too little, too late? Again, no.

A blatant handball by Roberts in his own box handed Eagles a penalty of their own in the 77th minute. Desmond Burgess, showing the same strength of character as Roberts had done with the earlier spot kick, brought the scores level.

Eagles tasted blood and a feeling of inevitability enveloped the ground. They were going to win, it was just a question of the hero showing his face.

And right on cue, just seconds before the final whistle, substitute Ian Raynor slid in at the far post to connect with a free kick that Figuerido try as he might could not keep out. The only black mark of the day for Eagles came in the ensuing celebration, Sean Dill, replaced earlier on, receiving a second yellow and then a red card for entering the field of play.

Somerset Trojans: T.Figuerido, K.Roberts, R.Scott, A.Rahman, R.Simmons, T.Russell, S.Ming, S.Mendes (D.Basden, 45 mins), M.Belboda (M.Brangman, 63 mins), K.Tucker, R.Simons. Booked: M.Brangman.

Somerset Eagles: A.Burrows, D.Pinkney, M.Hunt, D.Burgess, A.Lambert (I.Raynor, 71 mins), J.Butterfield, M.Butterfield, K.Simmons, L.Croften (S.Burrows, 90 mins), D.Dowling, S.Dill (R.Wilson, 71 mins). Sent off: S.Dill.

Men of the match: R.Simons (Trojans); D.Burgess (Eagles).

Referee: S.Crockwell.