The last time Dandy Town hoisted the FA Cup they did so by way of a replay. Hornets defeated PHC 1-0 en route to their sole FA Cup triumph in 1987.

And tonight the newly crowned Premier Division champions find themselves in the same position as they were 17 years ago.

Town and Devonshire Cougars battled to an action-packed 3-3 draw after extra-time at the National Sports Centre on Sunday to set the stage for what again promises to be another fireworks display on the ?carpet?.

?We are just happy to have another opportunity to play for the cup? said Town coach Devarr Boyles.

?It would have been a very bitter pill for us to swallow had we lost that particular game (Sunday?s) based on the balance of play. Although the balance of play means nothing in the grand scheme of things . . . who scores the most and defends the best wins.

?At times we did those things but we didn?t do enough to win it. But we are really happy to have another crack at it.?

While Cougars will be without the services of ?keeper Lovintz Tota who has flown off the Island, the status of Town striker Khano Smith is also questionable. Smith suffered a blister on his right foot and was seen hobbling in pain during the latter stages of last Sunday?s clash.

?If we have to give him a cortozone shot, then that?s what we will have to give him,? Boyles said yesterday.

?The next 24 hours will be very critical to see who has any effects from Sunday?s game and then we will make an assessment.?

After going toe to toe with Cougars for 120 minutes, Boyles reckons fatigue will not hinder his team?s performance.

?I think it will probably have the opposite effect based on how the game finished,? he said. ?To come from behind twice . . . that?s positive energy in the performance itself, although we could have played a lot better.?

Again, Boyles expects Cougars to come out all guns blazing.

?You never know what their game plan is but I would imagine Cougars want to win the trophy just as much as we do. We wouldn?t have it any other way. I think Sunday?s game was good for football in general because it?s been a while since we have seen a final back and forth like that,? he added.

?It had everybody on edge and just when you thought we were out of it, we were able to find a way to get ourselves back into it. So we just look forward to another opportunity.?

And so do their opposite number, who twice allowed glory to slip through their hands heading down the final stretch.

?The guys are still upbeat and hopefully they will come through tonight,? said Devonshire Recreation Club secretary Ellsworth Christopher.

?Their spirits were fairly high after Sunday?s match and they received a lot of encouragement from the members and fans. So hopefully now they will be able to overcome the final hurdle.?