Despite two early goals by Troy Smith and captain Shawn Smith, Second Division leaders Devonshire Cougars were unable to do any further damage against their Commercial Division opponents in this FA Cup preliminary round game at Devonshire Rec. field yesterday.

One feared a walkover by the home side after Troy Smith put them ahead with the game just 12 minutes old and then Shawn Smith adding the second just five minutes later. But this was not to be.

Forties demonstrated a lot of fight and determination and with captain and centre-half Peter Morgan and player/coach Roy Fellowes leading the charge, they were able to make Cougars sweat it out for the remainder of the game.

Cougars, though, have themselves to blame for not putting the game out of reach by the interval. During the first 45 minutes they pushed powerfully forward almost at will but time and time again good approach work broke down because of misdirected passes as they reached the penalty box.

Coming close to scoring on several occasions for Cougars were Dwayne Bean, Devon Brangman and Stephen Coddington. Troy Bean was unlucky after 17 minutes when goalkeeper Kevin Poole dived full length to push his drive around the post for a corner.

Forties were unlucky just before the break when Fellowes' shot from 17 yards was pushed against the bar by goalkeeper Leon Place before being cleared.

Forties were an improved bunch after the break and came close to scoring twice with Andy Robinson putting a shot wide after 74 minutes and centre-half Earl Bean slamming another just over after 79 minutes.

But Cougars blew numerous of chances. Coddington missed a sitter after 64 minutes, Morgan cleared a drive by substitute Cleveland Campbell off the line after 72 minutes and substitute George Muhlbachor also prevented Campbell from scoring after 78 minutes when he scrambled the ball off the line as well.

GIANT-KILLER -- Devonshire Cougars midfielder Steven Coddington is dwarfed by Earl Smith and Peter Morgan of Forties, but he has the ball.