Commercial Division outfit Robin Hood proved a handful for highly-fancied Vasco in this first round FA Cup curtain-raiser at BAA field yesterday.

A late strike by midfielder Voorhees Astwood finally laid Hood to rest, but not before the latter had fought their opponents to a virtual standstill for much of the proceedings.

The match started in a blaze, as Karl Roberts spurred Vasco into the lead after barely a minute of play.

After outsprinting right-back Colin McQueen for a through-ball by Earl Richardson, Roberts successfully round charging goalkeeper Gaanville Bennet and slotted into the vacated goal.

However, this advantage lasted barely a heartbeat as Hood's goal-scoring sensation, striker Des Minors, replied by punching a header past Keenan Tucker, standing in goal for Vasco.

Ironically, it was a defensive blunder by Roberts that allowed the chance as he misplayed a cross from the left, which allowed the ball to bobble around inside the six-yard area before an alert Minors was able to apply the required finish.

Play settled down after the early excitement and was evenly balanced for the most part.

The Hood back four of Paul Hawksworth, Jeff Amaral, McQueen and Moseley Malcolm proved near impenetrable against a supposed quality First Division frontline.

Amaral, in particular, shone, as despite his small stature he was able to silence the visitors' chief weapon Ricky Mallory for the most part.

His strike partner Irving Burgess was similarly invisible, while at the other end Minors and Peter Slater caused much anxiety for the Vasco defence with their size and aerial ability.

Bennet had to be alert to smother a Derek Thomas drive in the 34th minute and five minutes later was equally spectacular in tipping over a Donovan Livingston header.

Mallory followed by slamming a volley against the crossbar as the interval neared and the superior talent and fitness of Vasco finally began to show.

Three minutes into the second half, Vasco were awarded a penalty by referee Cal Simons when Amaral brought down Mallory in the area, but Bennet guessed correctly, falling to his right to block Mallory's fierce spot-kick.

Still, the avalanche of Vasco pressure continued and it was only a matter of time before the Hood wall caved in.

Astwood became the architect of their final destruction when he latched onto a searching cross by Roberts midway into enemy territory, dribbled three steps before unleashing a well-placed drive from 20 yards into Bennet's low right corner.

Robin Hood: G.Bennet; P.Hawksworth, C.McQueen, M.Malcolm, J.Amaral; J.Alpaugh, D.Stapley, C.Alexander (M.Harvey, 56 mins); D.Minors, P.Slater, S.Turner.

Vasco: K.Tucker; C.Lloyd, D.Livingston, P.Towlson, E.Richardson; B.Bruce, V.Astwood, K.Roberts; D.Thomas, I.Burgess, R.Mallory.

Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Jeff Amaral (Robin Hood), Voorhees Astwood (Vasco).

BLUSH SPARER -- Voorhees Astwood, at right marked by Robin Hood's Derek Stapley, scored the late goal to put Vasco into the last eight.