LLANDYSUL were left to rue a crucial missed penalty to level matters late on as Montgomeryshire Amateur League leaders Llanfair United Reserves went on to lift the Emrys Morgan Cup at Cae Baker with a 2-0 win on Good Friday.

The Costcutter Ceredigion League side had dominated the second half, but two goals from Toby Evans, the second in injury time, ensured that the silverware went to the Llanfair club for a record fifth time.

"It was very hard to lose like that, as we were all over them for most of the game, and there is no doubt that we deserved to win," said Llandysul manager Chris ‘Coco’ Davies.

“Obviously I was gutted when Dean missed the penalty as he is normally so consistent, and I don’t ever remember him missing one before. Had that gone in we would probably have gone on to win with Llanfair down to 10 men.

“We may never have such an opportunity again as it is a very tough competition, but we missed a penalty and at least three or four very good chances when we should have scored, so we can’t complain really.

"I don’t want to take anything away from Llanfair as they got to the final on merit, and they took their chances, so good luck to them.”

In front of a crowd of over 200, Llandysul started brightly and Adrian Hazelby caused all sorts of problems down the left.

He was unlucky not to score when his powerful drive was superbly deflected onto the inside of the post by keeper Chris Humphreys, and rolled along the line.

Dan Jones followed this up with another close effort, before Hazelby also blasted a shot over as Llanfair were forced to soak up the early pressure, with centre backs Jay Bishop and Dan Isaac both prominent.

Llanfair created little until just before half time when a rare lapse in the Llandysul defence let in Evans, and his well struck shot beat Carwyn Richards in goal.

Within a minute the mid Wales men almost doubled their score when a rasping drive from Josh Astley struck the crossbar.

Llandysul, however, started the second half in a similar fashion to the first, and Ben Thomas went close with a snap shot.

A superb run by Scott Thomas then gifted Hazelby with a golden chance, but he pulled his shot wide as Llanfair held on.

At the other end, Ashley Davies missed a rare chance with a free header, but the Llandysul defence, well marshalled by Dean Jones, dealt comfortably with everything thrown at them, especially in the air.

Most of the second half was spent deep in Llanfair territory, as the Swallows bombarded the penalty box, and the woodwork came to Llanfair’s rescue with Dean Jones and Dan Jones both going close.

The ball was finally tucked into the net with 10 minutes to go when a goal kick from Richards sailed over the Llanfair defence and into the path of Hazelby, but the referee blew for offside as the striker rounded keeper Humphreys, even though the ball actually came from a goal kick.

Llanfair’s Toby Evans had a shot saved by the keeper with 10 minutes to go, and Tim Dowling missed a good opportunity when he broke away, only to fire wide.

Llanfair defended for their lives in the final 10 minutes and in the 90th minute, Daniel Isaac pulled a player back as he ran through on goal and the referee awarded a penalty, as well as sending off Isaac.

Dean Jones, however, made it far too easy for keeper Humphreys, and he saved comfortably to deny Llandysul the prospect of extra time against 10 man Llanfair.

Llanfair then went straight back up the pitch and after some quick thinking by Matt Bumford from a throw-in, Evans calmly slotted home to clinch their win.

It sparked wild celebrations when Llanfair skipper Iwan Jones lifted the silverware - and the cup returned for Montgomeryshire for the first time in 20 years, when Kerry claimed the trophy in 1996.