(after extra-time) Defending champions North Village barely escaped elimination from the FA Cup last night with a hotly disputed penalty call in the dying stages of injury time by referee Stuart Crockwell saving the night.

Seven-time cup winners PHC appeared to have weathered a late flurry by the Red Devils who had embarked on an all out search for the equaliser. However, centre-back Roderick Lewis, scrambling to regain his footing inside the area, suffered the misfortune of having a shot from Keith Jennings smack his left hand, resulting in the call for a spot kick by Crockwell.

Players and coaches protested, but Crockwell was unmoved, just as was PHC's goalkeeper Carlyle Crockwell, who was rendered but a spectator as Kentoine Jennings buried the penalty in the low left corner.

"I was a little disappointed in the consistency of the refereeing and the call, but that's football and this is the FA Cup,'' said PHC assistant coach Mark Wade afterwards. "I hope the fans were satisfied, this was some real drama and it went down to the wire.

"But we live to fight another day and we'll come back again prepared to do battle all over.'' PHC had a prime opportunity to salt away victory in extra-time, as they became beneficiaries of a call from the ref as Arthur Simons saw a cross from Raynel Lightbourne ricochet off his left arm.

However, young Village 'keeper Zane Hendrickson literally rose to the task, springing to his right to parry away Dano Outerbridge's drive from the spot.

In a scoreless first half, PHC enjoyed an edge in terms of clear cut chances, as they were able to force Village's defence into scrambling mode on more than a few occasions.

They were also able to shut down the Red Devils' vaunted possession game, constantly closing down the space and forcing ill-advised decisions.

The process continued into the second half, with the effort finally paying off in the 81st minute as Duval Wilson beat Hendrickson with a header after McLee Smith, at the far post, had nodded the ball back to Wilson in the middle following a right-wing corner by Stephen Astwood.

No matter the pair will have to battle all over again from scratch, with the replay date to be announced.

PHC: C.Crockwell (D.Joell 92 mins); S.Lewis, R.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, J.Sealy; C.Furbert, S.Astwood, D.Wilson; M.Lambe (O.Steede 60 mins), T.Darrell (M.Smith 72 mins), R.Lightbourne.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; J.Thomas, A.Simons, M.Hansey, D.Thomas; J.Boyles, S.Goater (T.Jennings 46 mins), K.Binns (Kent.Jennings 52 mins); Kei.Jennings, D.Warren, D.Whitfield (D.Wade 86 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the Match: Stanton Lewis (PHC); Jawan Thomas (North Village).

Yellow card: Stephen Astwood (PHC); David Thomas (North Village).

Rude Girls 3 Royals 2 Rude Girls surged into another FA Cup final after a 3-2 come from behind triumph over Royals, who gave them all they could handle.

Tanya Semos scored both goals for Royals, one in either half, but Rude Girls replied through Ericka Russell and substitute Naquita Dill to send the tie into extra-time, where Tamisha Darrell popped up to snatch the winner.