FORGET the six bookings and a 103rd-minute double dismissal this historic all-Trowbridge League Wiltshire Junior Cup final between the Division One title rivals was one to cherish.

A crowd of around 250 at Corsham's Southbank ground were absorbed in almost three hours of action-packed drama.

In the end, Gifford manager and 75th minute substitute Stuart Irons, who might never have participated but for the unlucky Adam Gingell aggravating a torn muscle in the warm up, fired home a 95th minute penalty after referee Paul Gurd judged that Chris Stiles had been fouled, to give his side their fourth final triumph in seven unrivalled appearances.

But Rudloe, having already conceded a league double to Gifford, were unlucky third time losers.

They played a tremendous part, put Gifford's fantastic 25 match unbeaten run on the line for a good second half spell before being denied a possible penalty shoot-out by Kevin Challis's sensational one-handed cup-winning save to keep out Craig Gingell's 100th minute goalbound header.

Both sides put emphasis on attack and Broughton were rewarded from their third corner in the space of three minutes. Stiles, having had a ninth minute header cleared off the line by Andy Sibbick, rose to meet Richard Clarke's 21st minute cross.

That punished a glaring headed miss by Jason Walsh just two minutes before, but the Rudloe striker quickly atoned by forcing the ball just over the line.

After a thoroughly entertaining first half Gifford's Leigh Stevenson having an effort cleared off the line and Sibbick making a great challenge to rob Clarke who was threatening to burst right through a double 56th minute substitution by Rudloe paid dividends.

Tom Smith, unavailable most weekends and later to receive a serious facial injury, headed home a cross from the right to beat Challis to put Rudloe in front.

Gifford's 59th minute substitute Joe Symes almost levelled but Rudloe, with Kevin Hodgkinson saving from Clarke, were nine minutes away from victory when Clarke's inswinging corner beat everyone.

The one blot on the final only the second time two teams from the same league have met in the county showpiece was the dismissal of Rudloe's Kevin Streeter and Gifford's Steve Burns.

The flare-up involving a number of players following a foul on Challis led to nine minutes of stoppage time.

Irons revealed he might not have played had he been able to pick from a full squad.

"We lost Adam Gingell in the warm up and then John Hubbard went off injured in the second half. We were 2-1 down and with our backs to the wall and I was the only real striker on the bench.

"They were also our two penalty takers so it left me in the hot seat and thankfully I scored.

"That was our worst performance of the season but what it did show was the character and resolve of my players."

Rudloe manager Stuart Hynes said he was not sure why the penalty had been given.

He said: "I didn't see any foul but then I heard the whistle. I asked the referee afterwards what it was for but he didn't give me an answer. I am not going to keep going on about it as it is gone but I am still trying to get over the disappointment.

"I think the turning point was when our goalscorer Tom Smith had to come off with a fractured cheekbone. We have lost to them three times this season and that was the first time we have ever been ahead."