JOE McCormack was the unlikely hero as Cowes sensationally won the Wessex League Cup for the first time in their history with a thrilling 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory over newly-crowned league champions Lymington & New Milton at Ten Acres.

After a drab encounter that ended goaless, it was down to which side would hold their nerve in the shoot-out that fol-lowed after both laboured through normal and extra-time without success.

The Islanders Andy Rayner and Linnets skipper Graham Kemp both failed to hit the target and, after three penalties per side, the score stood evenly poised at 2-2.

Both sides missed their fourth attempts, Iain Stevens failing to find the net and Wayne Shaw having his well-struck effort superbly tipped away by McCormack.

Vic Sanders put the Yachtsman ahead 3-2 with a well-placed fifth attempt to give Cowes match point.

And McCormack was acclaimed the hero, brilliantly palming away Kevin Green's kick before being deservedly mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.

''I am proud of my players," said delighted Cowes boss Derek Ohren. "They came, worked hard and did a great job all round against very physical and dangerous opponents.''

Poole Town took an amazing sideswipe at New Street last night by sending secretary Bill Reid up to collect the TrophyMan Hampshire League Cup following their battling 1-0 victory at Cams Alders.

It was Reid, also a registered player with Poole, who was banned by New Street from entering their Foxcotte Park ground for last week's 2-1 league defeat. This has prompted an appeal by Poole to the Hampshire League to get the game replayed.

Not that Poole do things the easy way. Their pre-match preparation was disrupted when an accident near Ringwood held up the team coach and forced the kick-off to be delayed for 30 minutes.

And ten minutes before the break they had keeper Jan Wagenaar sent off for handling outside the box when a wickedly high bounce from a long through ball deceived him.

Central defender Gary Grace went between the posts but it was difficult to tell which team were a man short as the Dolphins controlled large chunks of the second half.

The turning point came in the 87th minute when Grace made a magnificent save from Paul Odey's bullet-like header and then, 60 seconds later, Peio Elola split the New Street defence with a measured pass for captain Leigh Phillips to bury a well-deserved winner.

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