Devonshire Colts keep winning because of their defence -- but now they're going to have to win without one of the biggest parts of it.

Star goalkeeper Troy Hall, a key reason Colts have the Coca Cola First Division's stingiest goals against record, will be lost to the team for up to a month after sustaining a broken nose in yesterday's victory over their cross-town rivals.

The win was tricky in that the Colts didn't have a back-up 'keeper. Defender Makonnen Hollis, who hadn't played goal in "seven or eight years,'' was called on to don the green jersey five minutes into the second half and afterwards said he's prepared to wear it as long as needed.

That probably won't be long; Colts junior 'keeper Thomas Smith is expected back from college in the US this week.

But with the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday -- not to mention the prestigious Dudley Eve competition over the Christmas holidays -- the first-placed Colts might be vulnerable.

Hall was injured when, straying far off his line and reaching high to snare a long shot, he was clipped by a careless elbow from Cougars forward Cleveland Campbell, who was charging in with his hands in the air.

Campbell received a tongue-lashing from referee Gary Cook; Hall got a trip to the hospital.

With his team leading 3-1, Colts coach Eugene Ball said there was no doubt who he would turn to. And Hollis, who regularly practises his goalkeeping in training, said he was ready for just such an emergency.

"I know I can help the team if they need me,'' he said.

He was a little upset about one thing, though: "The guys didn't give me a chance to show what I could do,'' he joked.

Indeed, Cougars were unable to take advantage of the injury nor did they appear particularly interested. Instead, Colts kept the Cougars hemmed in their own half, allowing the hosts just one dangerous shot, an 82nd minute cross from George Dyer.

"This team has a lot of character,'' said Ball.

He and assistant coach David Furbert are both ex-defenders so it's little surprise Colts have allowed just six goals in eight league matches.

"When you can keep the ball out of your own goal you have a pretty good chance of picking up at least a point,'' said Ball.

All of the scoring yesterday came in a 23-minute span.

First, Kernan Burchall drifted a free kick over the box to a loosely marked Aljamae Zuill, who headed into the far corner after 22 minutes.

Cougars tied it up nine minutes later on Philip Clarke's redirected header but just a minute after that came a goal by Kemon Lawrence. Striker Mark Ray set it up with a blast that ricoheted off 'keeper Leon Place to Ellington Weldon.

The Colts midfielder alertly passed back to Ray, whose second drive deflected to a wide open Lawrence on the other side.

That goal came on the first rush upfield after a sliding Zuill had prevented a sure goal.

Ray got one himself 30 seconds before the half-time whistle, nodding home Lawrence's low cross.

Devonshire Cougars: L.Place, T.James, S.Caisey, M.Dill, K.Swan, S.Coddington, W.Salaam, G.Dyer, G.Butterfield (T.Smith, 49 mins), C.Campbell, P.Clarke.

Devonshire Colts: T.Hall (A.Wilson 50 mins), A.Zuill, M.Hollis, S.Burgess, Jermal Belboda, K.Bermucahll, V.Ball, Jermaine Belboda, K.Lawrence (J.Ming, 74 mind), M.Ray, E.Weldon.

Men of the match: Cougars -- Philip Clarke; Colts -- Mark Ray Referee: Gary Cook