"Don't count us out ...'' That was the message from Devonshire Cougars' assistant coach Albert Smith after Cougars gave high-flying Dandy Town a scare, snatching a point from the Premier Division leaders following a 1-1 draw at St. John's Field yesterday.

Monumental underdogs going into the contest, Cougars showed all the fighting spirit that is their trademark, overcoming an early setback and coming close to snatching victory.

In the end it was Town who could count their blessings, knowing they had dodged a bullet.

"I told the players that everyone was doubting us and counting us as being in the play-off, and that's been a motivation for them,'' added Smith, deputy to player/coach Shawn Smith. "We haven't lost a game in the second half and the players are really putting in the effort.'' As is their custom, Town began in a frenzy, attacking from the opening whistle, pinning the visitors on the defensive.

Such pressure paid off six minutes on, as Raymond Beach glanced a header inside goalkeeper Ricardo Brangman's right post, as Darron Simons supplied a cross from the left.

Brangman was then forced to palm away a 20-yard blast from Paul Cann in the 11th minute as Town continued to swarm Cougars' area.

With the home side controlling pace and tempo more goals seemed imminent, Carlos Smith and Beach taking turns wreaking havoc among a stressed Cougars back four, however they were let down by poor finishing.

Cougars finally found an open door in the 18th minute when Town left-back Devon Binns was unlucky to be blown for hand-ball. The charity was accepted as William Pitt stepped up to deposit the spot kick past Jason Smith.

The second half witnessed Cougars looking more like the team leading the standings, forcing Town to the role of second fiddle.

"We had a good talk at half-time, I told them that `Hey, we can win this! They bleed just like us!', and the players accepted the challenge,'' said Smith. "I felt we dominated the second half and should have even won the match, but, as has been a problem for us, we were able to create the chances ... we just didn't capitalise on them.'' Heys Wolffe, given a free role in attack, caused terror among the Hornets defence whenever on the ball, whether it be weaving his way inside the penalty area for a shot of his own, or supplying the crucial pass to a team-mate.

The latter stages saw terrific end-to end action, with each side desperately seeking a winner, but both defences up to the task.

Despite the result, Town stayed on top of the table by virtue of superior goal difference to Devonshire Colts, who moved level on points, while Cougars gave themselves some breathing space at the bottom.

Still, Smith said it should have come as no surprise that his `David' was able to stand up against `Goliath'.

"If you analyse the season, we've beaten some of the best teams in the league and we're a very young team. It's coming and will continue to come, as long as the guys are willing to put in the hard work, so don't count us out ... we will survive.'' Dandy Town: J.Smith; L.Furbert, K.Mundy, S.Smith, D.Binns; K.Smith (R.Tucker 63 mins), D.Boyles (S.Tuzo 78 mins), P.Cann; C.Smith, D.Simons, R.Beach.

Cougars: R.Brangman; D.Brangman, M.Dill, S.Smith, D.Brangman; W.Salaam, K.Goddard, K.Steede, H.Wolffe; W.Pitt (S.Hewey 85 mins), M.Smith (P.Clarke 67 mins).

Referee: George O'Brien Men of the match: Carlos Smith (Dandy Town); Heys Wolffe (Devonshire Cougars).