BALA Town made history as they hit back from being a goal down to beat spirited Cymru Alliance opponents Caernarfon Town 3-1 at Rhyl, to finally reach the Welsh Cup Final for the very first time.

Having tasted defeat in three Welsh Cup semi-finals in recent years, the Lakesiders went into this tie as favouries, but they found themselves trailing from the 28th-minute when a teasing byline cross was turned into his own net by Stuart J Jones.

Jamie Breese went close to a second after playing a one-two with Darren Thomas but the introduction of Lee Hunt as a half time substitute turned the game for Bala.

Experienced striker Hunt was wide with an overhead kick, and also went close with a header, before levelling from Conall Murtagh’s through ball on 77 minues.

With extra-time looming, Kieran Smith then put Colin Caton’s side in front and that man Hunt added a third in stoppage time to end the Canaries’ brave effort.

“I’m just over the moon for everybody associated with the club,” said Bala manager Colin Caton, whose side will face Welsh Premier champions and holders The New Saints at Bangor on 30 April.

“We’ve failed the last three times we’ve been to the Welsh Cup semi-finals, and I didn’t really enjoy this game, because Caernarfon made it tough - but our lads never ever know when they’re beaten.

“They never give up, they just kept going, and I knew that the chance would come for us to go and win the game.”

“We were facing a Welsh Premier side here, only off-field matters prevented them going up last year, they are a top side, and their fans were magnificent.”

The Lakesiders had started on top, with Stuart J Jones’ early header being cleared off the line by Joe Williams, before Smith also fired a 25-yard effort inches wide.

Alex Ramsay, in the Cofis goal, then produced a phenomenal reaction save to thwart Smith, but at the other end Bala stopper Ashley Morris also pushed a Nathan Craig pile-driver over the bar.

With the Cofis starting to impose themselves, they took a shock 28th minute lead when Thomas burst into the box from the right, and his low cross was sliced into his own net by the unfortunate Jones.

The introduction of Hunt at the start of the second half had a huge effect as the third highest-scorer in Welsh Premier history twice forced Ramsay into saves and then went close from an overhead kick.

Then, in the 77th minute, Hunt used his pace and vision to latch onto a killer pass from Conall Murtagh to finish in style.

Kevin Lloyd blasted over for Caernarforn, but extra time was on the cards until in the 88th minute when Anthony Stephens held the ball up for Smith to drill a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Bala finally sealed it in the last minute when a throughball from Smith saw Mike Hayes run onto it and wait for Stephens on the overlap. After taking a touch, the ball was squared low and Hunt poked home from four yards and send the Lakesiders into their first Welsh Cup Final.

CAERNARFON: A Ramsay, J Williams, N Craig, C Williams, G Edwards, K Roberts, K Lloyd (A Davies-Thomas 90’+1), J Breese, D Thomas, D Brookwell, C Williams (D Sullivan 82). Subs: K Jones (GK), L Fowler, C Owen.

BALA: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, S J Jones, J Irving, C Murtagh, R Wade (L Hunt 46), C Venables, D Thompson, J Evans (M Hayes 62), K Smith (I Sheridan 90’+1). Subs not used: C Vernon (GK), N Burke. Attendance: 827.