In a hard fought, if often untidy game, Heys hopes of a second Cup Final success were ended by a harsh handball decision. There was little Rick Winstanley could do as the ball sprung up off his boot and struck his arm but the referee pointed to the spot from where Nick Houghton scored what was to prove the decisive strike.

It was tough on a young Heys side who battled well in the absence of several regulars and indeed started the better of the two teams with some slick passing stretching the Monton defence.

However, Monton began to find their feet and it was they who created the first chance but Houghton headed wide with the goal begging.

Heys responded through Danny Eyres who fired over after good work by Erike Sousa.

In the 30th minute, Monton looked like they had scored. From a Max White free kick, Sam Modlinsky got down low to save. The ball broke to Mark Baguley who seemed certain to score but George Powell somehow cleared off the line.

As Heys struggled to make any headway the momentum was firmly with Monton and they took the lead in the 43rd minute.

A swift exchange of passes opened the Heys defence and Houghton went through to slip the ball past the advancing Modlinsky.

In further blow to Heys the shoulder injury, which has kept Grant Mody out for much of the season, reoccurred and he was replaced at half time by Winstanley whose partnership with Shaun Johnson meant two central midfielders occupied the heart of the defence.

As the partnership looked to gel Monton could have added to their lead. However, Modlinsky pulled off two fines saves to deny White and Baguley in one on one situations.

Heys look to capitalise and produced some of their best football of the night. Eyres had the ball in the net in the 65th minute but was adjudged offside.

However, the pressure told just two minutes later with an equaliser. From a Jon Lyons free kick, Monton keeper Johnny May could only parry and Sousa was first to react to slot home.

Eyres fired over shortly after and May got down well to keep out a Ryan McGreevy shot as Heys began to emerge likely winners.

However, Monton roused themselves for one last push. Modlinsky tipped over from a Baguley free kick to spark a flurry of corners, culminating in the decisive penalty that gave them victory.

Team: Modlinsky, Dunn, G. Powell, Photiou, Mody, Johnson, Eyres, J. Lyons, Landers, Sousa, Wills. Subs: Jolly, McGreevy, Winstanley,