Neil Robinson scored a gem of a goal six minutes from regulation time that floored Devonshire Colts and gave Boulevard their first Martonmere Cup final victory at National Stadium yesterday.

But while Boulevard hoisted the trophy and the club flag high in triumph afterwards Devonshire Colts had no reason to hold their head in shame because they played like fighting tigers...including the few minutes of injury time when substitute Keishon Smith came close to scoring on two occasions.

Roared on by a raptuous crowd -- and with the odds stacked against them after having Jay Bean sent off after 34 minutes -- Colts were still able to offer a cultured challenge with the score 3-2 and precious little time left.

Suddenly a game that had been just above ordinary became a magnificent, pulsating contest with Colts pushing powerfully forward in search of that important equaliser.

Smith watched in agony as his fierce shot just seconds into injury time deflected off centre-half George Smith and crashed off the bar. Smith followed this up with a header that seemed to be heading into goal until it bounced off the chest of the fallen Lynn Tucker in the Boulevard goal.

Boulevard's lone chance in injury time came when a strong shot by striker Kenny Hill was brilliantly saved by young Colts goalkeeper Antoine Lightbourne diving to his left.

The game itself was interesting without being exciting, but the players of both teams did well to master the wet conditions that saw a light drizzle for three quarters of the game.

Colts, who were decisively beaten 4-1 by their opponents in last season's FA Cup final at the same venue, showed what fierce competitors they are by coming from behind twice...the second time with just 10 men when all seemed be lost.

Hill put Boulevard ahead by heading home a Stevie Wade cross after 13 minutes only to see Mark Ray get the equaliser seven minutes later.

Once Bean was sent off by referee Esten Curtis for fouling Clinton Caisey Boulevard were expected to dominate, but the defence, which was superbly marshalled by centre-back Derek Wright, refused to yield.

Boulevard re-established a one-goal lead after 49 minutes when Albert Caisey hit a long-range shot that went through Lightbourne.

This seemed to be the goal that would kill Colts' desire to fight on. But it was not to be.

After taking a while to regroup, Colts pulled off a rare attack and with Quincey Aberdeen showing some of his great dribbling ability -- masterfully slipping between two defenders -- he drilled the ball by Tucker from an angle on the right after entering the penalty area.

Hill was denied a goal by goalkeeper Lightbourne after 69 minutes when he dived to block the Boulevard striker's blast from close. But otherwise the attack had difficulty penetrating a packed Colts defence until Robinson sent the winning goal screaming home after a cross from the left.

Colts had a real setback when full-back Keenan Burchall was injured and substituted after 32 minutes but fortunately Dennis Williams proved a very capable replacement.

"When Jay was sent off I felt it would be harder, but sometimes you rise to the occasion with 10 men and we did,'' said Wright.

"But they key was when Keenan was hurt. He does a good job on Dwight Warren and he also plays a key part in our offence.'' Boulevard coach Gary Mallory also gave Cols credit for battling on like warriors with 10 men.

"They never gave up, they kept on coming and refused to give anything away.

We told our players at half-time that they would not give up and this is what happened. I was not surprised to see them playing all out until the final whistle.'' Boulevard: L.Tucker; D.Boyles, W.Richardson, G.Smith, A.Caisey; S.Smith (C.Pearman, 65 mins), C.Caisey (A.Brown, 86 mins), N.Robinson; S.Wade, K.Hill, D.Warren.

Devonshire Colts: A.Lightbourne; K.Burchall (D.Williams, 32 mins), D.Wright, J.Samuels, L.Hypolite; M.Ray, J.Bean, G.Burt; Q.Aberdeen (K.Smith, 76 mins), H.Trott, E.Weldon.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Neil Robinson (Boulevard); Derek Wright (Devonshire Colts).

The consolation final saw North Village defeat Somerset Trojans 3-1 with Sean Dill scorig a hat-trick for Village. The Red Devils led 2-1 at the half with Kwame Tucker scoring Somerset's lone goal, then Dill added his third 10 minutes from the end. Village's right-back Wayne Augustus suffered a broken ankle seconds from the end.

CLINCHER -- Neil Robinson, who scored Boulevard's winning goal, gets by a Devonshire Colts defender.

PARTY OVER HERE -- Boulevard captain Dwight Warren celebrates with players and fans following yesterday's presentation.