last-placed team to bear any real significance -- but don't try telling Devonshire Colts that.

As far as the defending First Division champs are concerned, tonight's clash against lowly Devonshire Cougars at BAA Field is of vital importance.

Precariously placed at fifth in the tables, Colts' fate for the rest of the season could hinge on the outcome of this fixture.

Victory might just be the boost they need to launch another assault on the championship whereas defeat could send them spiralling towards the bottom.

Colts are anxious to prove their position is misleading and will want to quickly bounce back from last Sunday's 3-2 away defeat to Dandy Town.

Skipper Shannon Burgess is aware of the game's importance and is looking for his players to rally after their latest setback.

"We have to stay focused and committed for 90 minutes,'' he said yesterday.

"We have had a lot of lapses in the last couple of games. We dominated most of the play against Dandy Town but the 20-minute lapse towards the end enabled them to get the winning goal.

"We need a victory against Cougars who are not about to give us anything.

We''ll have to go out there and earn it.

"Cougars are going to run hard because nobody likes to get beaten like they have. I'm sure the three poor results they have suffered will make them fight hard against us.

"The game is important to us as far as getting close to the leaders and qualifying for the Dudley Eve is concerned. Right now too many of our players are putting the blame elsewhere when they need to take a look at themselves.

They simply have to give the commitment that is required of them.'' It remains to be seen what mental shape Cougars are in after having made a coaching change last week and then falling to a 7-1 away defeat against Southampton Rangers.

Cougars proved competitive in the first half of that game before surrendering and if their attack is able to take advantage of any chances that come their way, they could prove a handful for Colts.

Tomorrow's action sees Vasco take on Somerset Trojans at PHC in a game that should go the way of the home side.

Coach John Rebello will be asking his players to show more consistency, displaying the same kind of form that carried them to a comprehensive 4-2 away victory over North Village last Sunday.

Trojans will be hoping to battle back after losing 2-1 on Tuesday night at home to Boulevard.

With Rohaan Simons likely to be missing for tomorrow's game against North Village, Southampton Rangers will have to find somebody to fill his free-scoring boots.

Simons, the league's top goalscorer with 11 this season, netted a hat-trick in Rangers' 7-1 triumph over Cougars last Sunday. But Herbie Dillas and substitute Michael Scott chipped in with two goals apiece and Southampton will be hoping this duo can produce similar spark against Village.

In tomorrow's other game Dandy Town, who are now getting the positive results that escaped them during the early weeks of the season, are heavy favourites against PHC at St. John's Field.