Hotels can thank former Bermuda international goalkeeper Randy Darrell for booking their place in the quarter-finals after an unconvincing performance at Southampton Oval.

Darrell saved a penalty from Mark DeMoura early in the second half and was called upon several times in the last half-hour as the Second Division outfit repeatedly broke through his porous defence.

But luck was against Royal and goals from Ricky Hill and Coolridge Bell in either half were enough to spare the First Division side's blushes.

Hill opened the scoring after only six minutes as he latched onto a through-ball and buried a firm shot past Russell Smith.

This was not a sign of things to come from Hotels, however, as a fitter Port Royal team were stung into action. What they lacked in technique they surely made up for in determination and young Nakia Smith in particular was a nuisance up front.

Still, Darrell had little to do in the first half. And when he was called into play, the 'keeper hardly looked confident as he missed an attempted punch but was supprted by the defence and then fumbled a Clinarke Dill free kick and was let off the hook when Mike Bean overran the rebound.

At the other end, Royal 'keeper Smith did well to save from Bell after Eugene Simmons crossed.

Port Royal's penalty came five minutes into the second half and Darrell guessed right, diving low to his left to deny DeMoura.

Panic set in on the sidelines and Dill, a proven scorer in his days with Southampton Rangers, was soon after replaced by young Shawn Scott who made little impact.

Hotels went two up on the hour when Smith fumbled a 20-yard grounder from Bell and the bustling forward followed up well to toe-poke home.

From here, Port Royal were in control, though Hotels had chances on the break.

Mike Bean shot just wide of Darrell's right-hand post in the 65th minute then the 'keeper produced the day's best save as he recovered from scrambling on the right side of his area to parry substitute Mario Smith's drive.

Bean twice more brought quality from Darrell, the second a stunning save after the striker was put clear by player/coach Leroy Wilson.

In the midst of this, Smith was sure-handed with good saves from sub Clifton Anderson and a firm Hill header.

Port Royal, who have played well after a dreadful start to the season, can take solace from the result while Hotels need be concerned with their First Division prospects.

Hotels: R.Darrell; D.Scott, P.Smith (C.Robinson, 82 mins), F.Greaves, D.McGowan; C.Sabir, M.Piper, E.Simmons; V.Chaves (C.Anderson, 63 mins), R.Hill, C.Bell.

Port Royal: R.Smith; B.Brangman, M.DeMoura, R.Fuhrtz, B.Tatem; L.Wilson, J.Frias, G.Wilson (M.Smith, 62 mins); N.Smith, M.Bean, C.Dill (S.Scott, 60 mins).

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of the match: Randy Darrell (Hotels); Nakia Smith (Port Royal).