Durham County Cup Final: Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 1 Sunderland Plains Farm 2: Lion were left to rue a moment of madness which cost them the Durham County Cup title at Eppleton's Colliery Welfare ground.

A goal to the good with just seconds remaining, the Lion defence switched off for that vital moment and were punished with a late, late, equaliser, which took the game into extra time.

Plains Farm then punished the Hartlepool side further with the 'golden goal' ten minutes into extra time to send the large Sunderland contingent wild with delight and the equally robust Hartlepool following totally deflated.

It had all started so well for Lion, on a sweltering hot Sunday in the heart of the old Durham mining community, when they were awarded a spot kick midway through the first period for handball.

It wasn't too be an early lead, however, as the Plains Farm keeper easily palmed away Stuart Dixon's penalty kick.

In the second half, there were chances at both ends and just as if it looked the stalemate was never going to end, Lion were given another chance from the spot by the referee for a trip in the area.

Up stepped centre forward Chris I'Anson to ram the ball home and send the Lion supporters roaring with delight.

With time running out, the defence so well-marshalled by Mike Gough and Andy Davies, went to sleep to allow that dramatic late leveller and then the extra time winner, and the rest, as they say, is history.

A wonderful achievement to reach the final of the cup and to play so well against the favourites, but Lion will reflect long and hard that the game is played for 90 minutes and you sometimes don't get your just rewards from football.

Division Two Cup Final

Clarendon 2 King John's Tavern 0

Clarendon deservedly got their hands on the Second Division trophy at the third attempt against a brave and resourceful King John's Tavern.

The game was played in stifling heat and the players found chances hard to come by in the first period, apart from a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, which were gloriously saved from Michael Jordan in the Tavern net.

After the interval, Clarendon poured forward and at times it was like a scene resembling the Alamo in the Tavern penalty area as they bravely held out against the rampaging Clarendon attackers.

Clarendon finally went ahead when top scorer Marty Waggott converted from the spot, and the same player then doubled the advantage and sealed the game when he ran through a static defence to score easily.

Although Tavern battled gamely right to the end, Clarendon were worthy winners in a game played in the right spirit.

Best for Tavern were Michael Williams and John Gate, who worked tirelessly all game, along with the underrated Andrew Davis and Jordan.

The winners, Clarendon, put in a quality performance after a hard campaign.

Best for Clarendon were Waggott, Steven Hollis, David French and man-of-the-match James Turner, who walked off with the sponsors champagne.