Dwight Warren's second-half winner put North Village through to their first FA Cup final in 11 years and kept their dreams of the league and cup double alive at Devonshire Rec. last night.

But the Red Devils rode their luck against a Vasco side which controlled the second half, hit the woodwork twice and had a goal controversially disallowed.

Vasco's Keith Jennings scored for both sides. His unfortunate own goal opened the scoring for Village in the 28th minute, but after Warren had made it 2-0 less than a minute after the interval, Jennings made amends for his earlier misdemeanour by pulling an 88th-minute goal back for Vasco to set up a nail-biting finale.

Village boss Kenny Thompson was proud to have seen his side through to a final scheduled for April 30 at the National Stadium against either Devonshire Colts or Southampton Rangers.

"The last time we got to the final was 1989,'' said Thompson. "We're really looking forward to it as a club. It's great for the fans and this generation of players have not experienced it before.

"In the last two years, we have lost in the semi-final and tonight we came out with a little bit more determination to succeed this time.'' "We knew we couldn't play quality foottball on this kind of surface at this time of year, so the main aim was to match Vasco's determination, use our talent and skill at the front part of the field and then look to play well on the smooth surface at the National Stadium.'' The game started scrappily in an atmosphere which was strangely subdued with stakes so high.

Vasco's Timmy Figureido was the first goalkeeper called into action in the 13th minute, diving at full stretch to palm away Neil Robinson's drive.

Two minutes later, a glorious pass by Wayne Augustus bisected the Village defence and found Clay Smith, who lobbed the keeper only to see the ball drop just wide of the upright.

Village's opening goal came after Tafari Outerbridge beat Figureido to a through ball but was forced wide. He turned and crossed for Robinson to head powerfully into the six-yard box and the ball bounced off the legs of the unlucky Keith Jennings into the Vasco net.

Tafari Outerbridge set up the second goal in the 46th minute, controlling the ball with a defender on his back, before laying off to Warren who side-footed firmly past Figureido.

Vasco fought back strongly and Clay Smith's fierce shot came off goalkeeper Zane Hendrickson and a post, before Irving Burgess headed into the net from close range, but the goal was chalked off.

Burgess knew it wasn't his night four minutes from time when he latched onto a left-wing cross by Wayne Augustus, but saw his volley thump against the crossbar.

Vasco did pull one back two minutes later, when a free-kick by substitute Jamel Smith was deflected to Keith Jennings, who poked it over the line, but it was too little, too late to deny Village.

Vasco coach John Rebello said: "We were a bit unlucky. The woodwork kept us out a couple of times and their young keeper made a couple of good saves.

"I thought our guys showed a lot of character and even when they went 2-0 down, they didn't let their heads go down, they continued to play.'' Village: Z.Hendrickson, N.Dill, M.Hansey, Kent.Jennings, K.Dill, N.Robinson, T.Jennings (S.Goater 64 mins), J.Boyles, T.Outerbridge, D.Warren, Kev.Jennings (R.Spence 90 mins).

Vasco: T.Figureido, C.Roberts, D.Stapley, W.Augustus, J.Belboda, K.Smith, K.Burchall, Kei.Jennings, C.Smith (S.Gibbons 79 mins), D.Basden (J.Smith 83 mins), I.Burgess.

Men of the match: Tafari Outerbridge (Village); Irving Burgess (Vasco).

Yellow cards: M.Hansey (Village); C.Smith, D.Basden (Vasco).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor