Spraire RA won The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League Division One Cup at the weekend - two years after they last reached the final but fell at the last.

In 2002 they lost out to the all-conquering Coundon Foresters - but on Sunday they made up for that defeat with a single-goal victory over Hurworth Albion.

They met at Darlington RA's Brinkburn Road ground and a solitary strike from Martin Brown was enough to clinch the cup after an entertaining game.

Neither Spraire or Hurworth will win the First Division title this season so their seasons depended on taking the divisional cup and much of the first half reflected this as it was a tight affair with neither side giving much away.

Chances were few although, as the half-time approached, and with both sides feeling the effects of bright sunshine, the game opened up with Hurworth wasting a good opportunity from close-range while Spraire's Steve Shaw also missed a good opening.

He put a free header over the bar not long before the end of the first 45 minutes which ended 0-0.

Spraire, with Danny Richmond excellent, were getting forward at will and ten minutes after the re-start Darren Kokes spurned the chance to put his side ahead when he screwed a 12-yard shot wide following a defence-splitting pass.

Kokes, with 19 goals this season, must have had his heart in his mouth when Hurworth looked set to hit the net, but a magnificent goal-saving tackle by Richard Tutty blocked the shot from eight yards.

Tutty's tackle proved vital as eight minutes later teammate Martin Brown scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game and it was a strike worthy of winning any match.

He converted expertly from inside the penalty area after meeting a left-wing cross with his right boot to volley across goal past the keeper for his 11th goal of the season.

For the remainder of the final Spraire soaked up Hurworth's pressure and even had chances to extend their lead but they weren't needed as Brown's goal proved enough to take the trophy and make amends for defeat two years ago.