Devonshire Cougars will have to quickly sharpen their claws if they are to lift the FA Cup for the first time ever at the National Sports Centre (NSC) next month.

Yesterday saw the Big Cats ? without striker Raymond Beach ? play some of their worst football of the season against a Rangers side that gave a good account of themselves and threatened to pull off the unthinkable in their hosts? own backyard.

But thanks to flashes of brilliance on the part of the resourceful Domico Coddington, Cougars survived a few brushes with disaster and advanced to the semi-finals of the prestigious competition for the second time in three seasons on the back of a two-goal blitz late in the second half.

Coddington embarked on a sensational Diego Maradona -like solo run that ultimately laid the foundation for Aljame Zuill?s decisive strike in the 64th minute.

Heys Wolfe then doubled Cougars? lead six-minutes later when he converted from the penalty spot after being brought down inside the box.

But apart from these two brief moments of euphoria, those in attendance who put off another engagement to watch this FA Cup quarter-final affair might have rued their decision as play, for the most part, was disenchanting. And blustery conditions only made matters worse.

Cougars started off looking the better of the two teams and nearly capitalised on their dominance in the tenth minute. But instead of celebrating an early goal, Kwame Steede side-footed over the bar from just yards out.

That ultimately proved to be the closest Cougars came to scoring, though they dictated most of the play in the opening half.

Still, Cougars were very fortunate not to enter the dressing room at the half trailing as the pace of Jonathan Bean and Henry Santucci kept their defence on edge.

Yet Bean would also be guilty of making a complete hash of things in front of goal during one of Rangers? enterprising runs forward. Directing their attack down the left-side, Bean nodded a free header into the arms of Ricardo Brangman from point-blank range.

Cougars dodged yet another bullet minutes later when Sean Brangman outpaced the defence but dragged his shot wide of the post with namesake Brangman stranded in no man?s land.

Disturbed, to say the least, Cougars coach Andrew Bascome brought on Wolfe for Jeremy DeShields in an effort to give his team another attacking option in the middle of the park.

However, Cougars would suffer another psychological setback when defender Ijahmon Mallory injured his left knee in a tackle and was rushed to hospital by ambulance right on the stroke of half time.

If Bascome gave his troops a good lecture at the half, it seemed to have little effect as Rangers ? inspired in midfield by Shakir Smith and 41-year-old club president Duane (Box) Deroza ? went about the business of trying to play spoilers when play resumed.

Smith, called to senior national team duty last month, came close to breaking the ice with a right-footed free-kick that curled inches over.

However, the close call seemed to finally jolt Cougars? predatory instincts as they responded shortly after by breaking through at the opposite end, much to the relief of their loyal fans who braved yesterday?s cool conditions.

Gaining possession of the ball just inside Ranger?s own half of the pitch, Coddington waltzed past three players, dribbled 20 yards and rode off another challenge before squaring the ball in the middle for Zuill to casually tap home from close range.

Zuill?s celebrations were then muted when he was carded for pulling his jersey over his head.

But Cougars were not done just yet.

Playing now with a sense of urgency, the Big Cats stormed forward with confidence and eventually extended the match beyond Rangers? reach from the penalty spot after Wolfe was sent tumbling inside the area racing towards goal.

Displaying the finesse his late father once possessed in his heyday, Wolfe made it all look so easy as he beat the flat-footed Ricky Tucker to his right to cement Cougars? spot in the semis.

Sean Brangman then missed a good opportunity to grab a late consolation for Rangers when his glancing header was saved by the ?keeper.

Earlier, Lady Cougars brushed aside Somerset Hurricanes 3-0 on goals from Ashley Wall, Naquita Dill and Shabena Crockwell in the Women?s FA Cup.: R.Brangman, O.Butterfield, J.Butterfield, N.Robinson, K.Steede (capt), J.DeShields (H.Wolfe, 30 mins), D.Coddington, A.Zuill (R.Baker, 85 mins), K.Simpson, I.Mallory (S.Smith, 45 mins), D.Cox.: R.Tucker, J.Rogers, J.Saltus, T.Codrington, S.Smith, S.Brangman, T.Mallory (A.Outerbridge, 60 mins), W.Anderson, D.Deroza (J.Codrington, 77 mins), H.Santucci, J.Bean.: A.Zuill (Cougars); J.Saltus, W.Anderson (Rangers).: D.Coddington (Cougars); J.Saltus (Rangers).: Leroy Wilson.