CARDIGAN Town successfully reclaimed the Costcutter Ceredigion League championship trophy with a dramatic 3-2 win over title rivals Lampeter Town in the final league game of the season at the King George field last weekend.

A hectic run-in had seen the Magpies move one point clear after midweek wins against top four rivals Bargod Rangers 2-1 on Tuesday and Llandysul 1-0 in Thursday - meaning that Seamus Doherty’s team only needed a draw with second-placed Lampeter to secure the silverware.

They were forced to dig deep after twice going a goal down, but a late strike from finally Liam Doherty secure their win.

Lampeter contributed fully to a thrilling title showdown and the opening half hour was a tight and nervy affair as expected.

Cardigan went close when veteran defender Steve Blackford’s sweetly struck half volley was superbly saved, but at the other end he had to clear off the line as Luke Lovell tried to force the ball over.

The Magpies looked to be growing in confidence until five minutes before the break when Gethin Davies scored with an excellent shot from well outside the box that gave keeper Casey Walters no chance.

There was much more to come in the second half and the visitors conceded a penalty when Slovak Waleczeck was brought down in the opening minute - but James Evans, who had a fine game, saw his attempt from the spot go wide of the target.

Just a few minutes later Cardigan levelled matters when they were rightly awarded another penalty by referee Alan Thomas, and this time Iestyn Evans was handed the job and he tucked his penalty.

Lampeter hit back, with Martin Hunter and James Gudgeon working tirelessly, and they restored the lead on 55 minutes.Powerful striker Luke Lovell was put through by Mark Rivers and he threaded the ball past the keeper for a 2-1 lead.

An away win would have earned Lampeter the title, but the Cardigan hit back again when Magpies skipper Blackfordslipped a defender and sent over a pin-point left foot cross to the far post for unsung hero Dylan Davies to nod home.

Lampeter, refusing to give up on the silverware, came back once again but the home defence, with Alun Williams in particular outstanding, kept them at bay.

The title was finally in the bag when they went back upfield with Liam Doherty and substitute Tomos Toft beaking quickly, and Doherty netted with a superb strike.

The win meant that Cardigan finished five points clear of runners-up Lampeter, after a run of seven straight wins in less than three weeks, and the celebrations began as skipperBlackford was presented the Norman Llewellyn Memorial Trophy by League Secretary Geraint Davies.