FA Cup holders Colts battled back from behind to win an action-packed second-round replay at Devonshire Rec. last night.

And ironically it was a penalty awarded by referee Stuart Crockwell -- who was lambasted by Colts coach David Furbert after Sunday's 2-2 draw between the teams -- which eventually gave the Premier Division side victory.

Crockwell pointed to the spot after Colts striker Ricky Saltus went down in a heap with his marker Preston Mallory in the 57th minute, with the score at 2-2.

Skipper Shannon Burgess kept a cool head to rifle home the 57th minute spot-kick and earn his side the reward of a home tie against Commercial League side MR Onions in the quarter-finals.

But First Division Cougars gave Colts plenty of scares along the way and the home side led 2-1 at the interval.

Geron Trott gave Colts an early lead, but Cougars bit back with two goals in the seven minutes before half-time by Sheldon Caisey and Maxwell Dill.

Colts then turned the game on its head once more, thanks to substitute Jamaine Aberdeen's equaliser with his first touch of the ball in the 53rd minute followed by Burgess's winner four minutes later.

National team defender Burgess held the Colts defence together with an immaculate display and he was clearly relieved to have come out victorious.

"I knew it would be difficult if we did not take them out of the game early,'' said Burgess. "We got a quick goal and then relaxed a bit, they got two quick goals and suddenly we had our backs against the wall.

"I knew it would be harder at Devonshire Rec., because it's a much smaller field than White Hill and Cougars are tough to beat here.'' The absence of strikers Aljame Zuill and Marvin Belboda and defender McKonnen Hollis -- all suspended after being sent off in Sunday's dramatic first match -- had left Colts depleted, but Burgess felt the squad had passed the test.

"You need depth in the team to win trophies and we showed our depth tonight,'' said the skipper. "My fullbacks and central defenders did really well and we've got players like Tito Smith, who's been consistent all season.'' Colts started brightly and it was no surprise when Trott gave them the lead in the 10th minute. Good work by Romond Douglas made the chance for Trott who smashed home a bouncing ball from 12 yards with his right foot.

Trott should have made it 2-0 14 minutes later when sent clear by Douglas as the Cougars defence froze, but the striker shot tamely wide.

Burgess had scored from the halfway line for Colts in Sunday's match and Tito Smith attempted to embarrass Ricardo Brangman again when the Colts go into last eight Cougars keeper made a hash of clearance, but Brangman got back just in time to save the midfielder's 35-yard chip.

The First Divison side gradually forced their way back into the game and the danger signs were there for Colts when Dill had a close-range shot blocked following a corner and then Shawn Smith's header was cleared off the line by Smith.

Sheldon Caisey claimed the Cougars equaliser with a magnificent 25-yard strike in the 38th minute. The midfielder cracked a fierce angled drive into the top right-hand corner of the net via the fingertips of Colts keeper Kevin Bean.

Cougars kept up the pressure and Dill put them ahead in first-half injury time, hammering home from close range after a fine right-wing cross by Devon Brangman.

Colts came out rejuvenated after the break and tamed Cougars by controlling possession and their dominance soon paid dividends.

Coach Furbert replaced Keimon Lawrence with Aberdeen and within seconds the substitute cashed in on hesitancy in the Cougars defence to lash home a left-footed equaliser.

After Burgess gave his side the lead, they were able to effectively shut up shop and apart from a Trevor Smith 22-yard free-kick just over the bar, they had few anxious moments.

Burgess admitted that the quarter-final draw, screened live on television, may have affected his team's concentration -- particularly after it presented the winners with a home tie against arguably the weakest team left in the competition with a semi-final place at stake.

Cougars: R.Brangman, J.Deshields, P.Mallory, S.Smith, Tr.Smith, W.Salaam, S.Caisey (K.Saltus 58mins), D.Brangman, C.Goodard (M.Smith 63 mins), P.Clarke, M.Dill.

Colts: K.Bean, J.Belboda, S.Burgess, J.Simmons, N.Samuels, J.Samuels, R.Douglas (C.Hill 48 mins), G.Trott, Ti.Smith, R.Saltus, K.Lawrence (J.Aberdeen 53 mins).

Men of the match: Devon Brangman (Cougars); Shannon Burgess (Colts) Yellow cards: Salaam, Deshields (Cougars); Saltus (Colts) Referee: Stuart Crockwell Royals 1 Rude Girls 9 Reeona Belboda, Shivon Washington and Chevonne Furbert grabbed two goals apiece, with Ricketa Warner and Catherine Clarke also getting on the scoresheet for Rude girls.

Ramika Lambe scored for Royals.

On the mark: Devonshire Colts captain Shannon Burgess (right) set up a quarter final meeting with Commercial League MR Onions.