NEWQUAY came within seconds of collecting more silverware on Saturday – before a last-gasp Sidmouth equaliser forced a penalty shootout which the Devon side went on to win.

In the battle of the SWPL’s East and West champions on a warm afternoon at Crediton, the Peppermints led through a controversial 48th minute Louis Price penalty as six minutes of time added on was indicated.

Shaun Middleton’s side looked to have survived a tense finale as the clock clicked into the last seconds but a long throw-in from the left saw Billy Spurway find a yard of space to head into the net from six yards.

Before referee Will Annear had the chance to restart the game, he sin-binned a dissenting Jack Bray-Evans.

To make matters worse, Sidmouth keeper Aaron Dearing then saved the first two Newquay penalties from Cam Turner and Ross Fallens.

Sidmouth scored their opening three to lead 3-0, and although Price got one back with Newquay’s third penalty and Brodie Cole saved from Craig Veal, Louis Jagger-Cane’s successful spot-kick sealed the deal.

Middleton said: “It was a good game against a very strong team. I thought we weren’t at our finest but as we have done all season we showed real heart, togetherness and true spirit, so I am really proud of them all.

“It was unfortunate to concede a goal in the 98th minute, which was a tough one to take, but we move on and look to progress next season which I am really excited about.”

It had been an entertaining game with chances for both sides in a goalless first half. Louis Spalding had a glorious opportunity after only four minutes but couldn’t beat Cole in one-on-one.

The Peppermints responded in the 11th minute with Jacob Grange going on a mazy run across the penalty area before unleashing a superb left foot shot which brought a brilliant save out of Dearing.

Two minutes later Grange seemed certain to score with a close range header, but Matt Webb got in a brilliant block.

Cole then made two saves in a minute as an end-to-end opening 20 minutes somehow failed to produce a breakthrough, and more heroics from the keeper sent the teams in at half-time goalless.

But the deadlock was broken three minutes after the break as Grange swung in a corner from the right and referee Will Annear pointed to the penalty spot, claiming to have seen a Sidmouth arm stop a Newquay shot.

Price, who had been presented with the SWPL’s Golden Boot trophy before the match, dispatched the penalty to give Newquay the lead.

Sidmouth came within inches of an equaliser after 67 minutes as a Spalding cross from the right just evaded an unmarked Luke Mortimore on the far post.

Four minutes later Jagger-Cane was denied by another Cole save, and the Devon side continued to have half chances but Newquay looked to have ridden the storm before the late, late equaliser.

NEWQUAY: Brodie Cole, Jamie Edlin, Tom Moxham, Cam Turner, Harry Downing (capt), Lucas Potts (Ross Fallens, 62), Callam McOnie, Aaron Dilley (Alex Cole, 65), Jack Bray-Evans, Jacob Grange (Dan Carne, 65), Louis Price. Subs not used: Johan Allen, Josh Evans.

Newquay man-of-the-match: Brodie Cole.