Ten-man North Village produced a grandstand finish at Devonshire Rec. last night to defeat league champions Vasco and seal their place in the Martonmere Cup semi-finals.

Village looked in trouble when defender Arthur Simons was red-carded for a second bookable foul in the 62nd minute and then Vasco equalised through Keith Jennings a minute later to make the score 2-2.

But the Red Devils made light of their numerical disadvantage and scored two late goals to give them a second Martonmere victory following their 3-0 win over Southampton Rangers.

New-look Vasco looked a shadow of last year's championship-winning side and now face a showdown with Rangers to decide who else progresses to the last four from Group A.

Vasco got off to flier after Jamel Smith, a summer signing from Village, was felled in the penalty box and referee Gary Cook pointed to the spot. Meshach Wade converted expertly into the bottom right-hand corner.

But that was as good as it got for Vasco in the opening period as Village came back strongly, with veteran Kenny Thompson pulling the strings in midfield.

Wingers Sergio Goater and Kevin Jennings were giving the Vasco defence a torrid time with their pace and it was Jennings who grabbed the 28th minute equaliser with a snap-shot on the turn from 18 yards.

Six minutes later, Village went ahead after a delightful pass by Thompson found Jennings on the wing and his cross was unluckily deflected into his own net by Vasco's Trevor Dickenson.

Seven minutes into the second half, Vasco were awarded their second spot-kick when Keith Jennings went down in a heap when challenged by Jawon Thomas.

Jennings took the kick himself but it was too straight and Village 'keeper Zane Hendrickson saved comfortably. But Thomas's wild taunting of Jennings afterwards belonged more in the primary school playground than on the football field.

Keith Jennings got his goal though, 11 minutes later when he rifled home after controlling Wade's long free kick, just seconds after Simons' dismissal.

Vasco then piled on the pressure, but Village hung on and then retook the lead after Hansey latched onto Goater's chip and was fouled in the box in the 78th minute. Thompson cracked home the penalty to make it 3-2.

Central defender Kimandi Binns capped an excellent personal performance with a fourth goal two minutes from time to seal Village's victory, a crisp, left-footed volley at the far post after a corner.

Village: Z.Hendrickson, M.Dill (J.Samuels 81 mins), A.Simons, J.Thomas, K.Binns, J.Boyles, Kev.Jennings (D.Lottimore 67 mins), K.Thompson, M.Hansey, N.Robinson, S.Goater.

Vasco: T.Figureido, C.Roberts, D.Stapley, T.Dickenson, W.Augustus, M.Wade, J.Smith (A.Tyrell 75 mins), J.Belboda, K.Burchall (C.Caisey 32 mins), D.Basden, Kei.Jennings.

Men of the match: Sergio Goater (Village); Meshach Wade (Vasco).

Referee: Gary Cook.