Cleethorpes Town were unable to become the fourth Toolstation NCEL winners of the Buildbase FA Vase as they were beaten 4-0 by Ebac Northern League side South Shields on Sunday.The Owls battled well at Wembley Stadium but three goals in the last ten minutes ensured the trophy would be going back once again to the northeast.
Carl Finnigan's 43rd minute penalty after Tim Lowe upended Gavin Cogdon in the box meant that Marcus Newell's side were a goal down by the interval.
Keeper Liam Higton kept them in the game with five excellent saves whilst Brody Robertson and Marc Cooper had opportunities at the other end for Cleethorpes.
But, when Dillon Morse headed home a free-kick in the 80th minute to double South Shields' advantage, the Owls' resistance withered away and David Foley struck twice after that to complete the scoring.
Cleethorpes, though, can look back on a superb season and one in which they did themselves and the NCEL proud and we wish them all the best for when they start their Evo-Stik League adventure in August.
It brought to an end a May which saw four cup finals contested in by NCEL sides.
In the League Cup final, promoted Division One side
Penistone Church concluded their excellent campaign with a 4-1 win over Premier Division
Bridlington Town at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane stadium.
Scott Whittington and Brett Lovell had put them two goals up by the interval and, as everyone expected a Seasiders revival in the second period, Andrew Ring and then Daniel Barlow deservedly put the game beyond doubt before a late consolation came Bridlington's way from Jake Day.
Curtis Woodhouse's side, however, did lift some silverware as they won the East Riding Senior Cup for the third successive year with a 4-2 win over Hull City.
Lewis Ritson put the Tigers ahead after six minutes but Andrew Norfolk quickly restored parity before Elliot Holmes regained the initiative for Hull early in the second period.
Bridlington rallied once again at Hall Road Rangers' Harworth Park ground with Norfolk levelling once more and then Brett Agnew and Joel Sutton struck to claim the victory.
Pickering Town took the lead in their County Cup final at the Riverside Stadium, home of Middlesbrough, in the 33rd minute through Nicholas Thompson.
But, Whitby Town turned the game around after the interval with Dale Hopson breaking their duck and a Michael Roberts double sealing the North Riding Senior Cup for the Evo-Stik League side.