OSLO - THE ESSEX Valley All Stars slipped into the round of 32 in the Under-14 section of the Norway Cup yesterday.

The success of the Jamaicans, however, was not due to the number of goals they scored but to the luck of the toss of a coin.

According to the rules of the tournament, a draw in the knockout stage of the contest is decided on corners after extra time and if the two teams are still tied, the toss of a coin decides which one goes through.

Yesterday, with the score in the match against FLAM IF locked at 2-2 at the end of normal time, 3-3 at the end of extra time and the corners even at 4-4, the All Stars, represented by manager Nigel Casserly, called correctly.

In an evenly contested match, Essex Valley took the lead three times, but on each occasion, FLAM IF replied almost immediately - twice in the nick of time.

After an early scare which saw FLAM IF missing a glorious opportunity to open the scoring, Essex Valley took the lead in the seventh minute when Earle Powell beat the goalkeeper from outside the area.

One minute late, Rino Slaen levelled the score, and after surviving some anxious moments during which FLAM IF missed a couple chances to take the lead, the All Stars made it 2-1 when Shane Dixon, cool and composed, slotted home from the penalty spot with two minutes to go.

With the clock ticking away and the All Stars looking the victors, Kaasniqi dribbled past three defenders before passing to Urim Moxha who stabbed the equaliser into the far corner.

Essex Valley went ahead 3-2 when Sunjay Morgan headed home a cross from Wayne Fuller, but the celebration was short-lived when FLAM IF answered once again - this time through a wonderful header by Christopher Hvaal with seconds to go.