It was billed as a war, and a clash it was.

Belying their lowly positions, Devonshire Cougars and Boulevard put on a show to behold, with first one, then the other playing the role of protagonist.

In the end a draw was the just result for two sides that left everything on the pitch in providing a rare treat of old-time hard-nosed soccer for an appreciative crowd at the Den.

Goals from Vernon Eve and substitute Norrell Hull provided for Boulevard, while Clevie Campbell (penalty) and a brilliant acrobatic strike by Phillip Clarke replied for Cougars.

It took just 13 minutes for the visitors to jump into the lead when Eve capitalised on a goalkeeping blunder by Cougars' Leon Place, who mishandled a right-wing cross that eventually fell for midfielder Eve to squeeze in at the near post.

Continuing with their trademark style of possession ball, the Blazers began to frustrate Cougars, left constantly in the chasing mode.

However, Cougars came out after the halftime interval rejuvenated and quickly equalised on Campbell's 47th minute penalty conversion after Clarke was fouled by full-back Dean Boyles.

But the best effort came in the 66th minute as Clarke went airborne with a bicycle kick inside the penalty area after receiving a cross from Campbell on the right.

In desperation Boulevard launched an all out attack, pushing centre-back Donnie Charles forward into midfield and this move paid dividends nine minutes from time his mazy run set up Hull for a glorious right boot into the right corner.

Cougars new coach Mark Jennings was pleased with the result that gave them their second point of the year: "I think for Cougars it was a good result.

With the recent coaching change the players are coming together as a unit,'' he said. "We're going back to working on the fundamentals and I think we saw the result of some of that tonight. The guys are working together for each other and that's what we want to continue to do for the rest of the season.'' Devonshire Cougars: L.Place; S.Coddington, D.Durrant, S.Smith, M.Dill; C.Azhar, B.Richardson, D.Russell, W.Salaam; P.Clarke (M.Lindsay 86 mins), C.Campbell.

Boulevard: M.Steede; D.Boyles, D.Charles, L.Stevens, K.Darrell; G.Smith, V.Eve, N.Robinson, J.Samuels; V.Symonds, M.Holdipp (N.Hull 70 mins).

Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: Clevie Campbell (Devonshire Cougars), Donnie Charles (Boulevard)