A MASTERSTROKE by the manager helped Winsford humble the holders.

Joe Gibiliru threw on subs Darren Connell and Ross Kennedy and the pair returned his favour with a goal apiece to earn the Liverpool tactician a maiden trophy as Blues boss.

Kennedy's last minute winner was the perfect finale.

Before his arrival it looked for a long time as if two penalties might decide where the cup was going, one missed by the hosts the other converted by Congleton.

Lee Madin saw his penalty saved by Bears custodian Stuart Heeps in the first half after he himself had been fouled.

But Matt Haddrell scored from the spot to net his 33rd goal of the season after David Barnes had grounded Andy Hurst inside the penalty area.

In between there had been a match played at breakneck speed.

Blues had a great chance to open the scoring when Barnes headed wide of goal when he should have scored. Further first half efforts by Congleton's Andy Alston and Blues' Chris Sheppard also proved fruitless.

Congleton took the lead through Haddrell's penalty on 55 minutes.

Winsford continued to press without luck but it was Gibiliru's judgement in introducing his super subs with 20 minutes to play that changed the game.

Blues immediately looked more dangerous and on 76 minutes Dean Ennion's free kick out on the left found Darren Connell lurking at the far post. Heeps got a hand to his header but could not stop it going into the net.

Congleton's goal was under siege during the closing stages as Winsford went all out for the win but, just as it looked as if the game would go into extra time, it was the two replacements who struck.

Ennion sent Connell clear and, after Heeps parried his initial shot, Kennedy slammed the loose ball into the roof of the net from the narrowest of angles.

The Bears came to life again in injury time but Blues' defence was resolute as they hung on for a deserved victory - the referee's whistle signalling celebrations reminiscent of the end of last season when the North West Counties League Division Two title was won, again in front of their own fans.

Star Man: Lee Duckworth. Blues: Langley (GK), Calland (Kennedy 70), Duckworth, Barnes, Ridler, Bluck, Owens, Ennion, Madin (Connell 70), Miranda, Sheppard
Sub not used: Mason
attendance: 210