WHITCHURCH United suffered an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat to Winchester City in the final of the North Hants Senior Cup final.

The Jam Boys led 1-0 deep into added time at the end of the game, but their hopes of winning the trophy for the first time were dashed by a last-gasp equaliser.

Extra-time could not separate the sides, so the cup was decided on penalties and it was Winchester who won the shoot-out 4-2 to lift the trophy for the third time in their history.

Winchester made a strong start to the game, having strong claims for a penalty turned down and also hitting the post in the early stages.

Josh Green was the Whitchurch hero on the half-hour, heading off the line to ensure that the first half would remain goalless.

The Jam Boys improved after the break and were given a great chance to take the lead on 53 minutes, when Tom Lockyer was brought down in the penalty area. Green took the spot-kick, but he was denied by Winchester goalkeeper Gary Barfoot.

However, they did manage to take the lead on the hour, Matt Austin looping a header over the advancing Barfoot to put Whitchurch in front.

That looked to be enough, but City levelled in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Warren Bentley firing home to end a goalmouth scramble.

Whitchurch goalkeeper Brad Snelling made two excellent saves to prevent Winchester scoring again in extra-time.

However, Jack McCarthy and Snelling missed Whitchurch's first two kicks in the shoot-out, with Winchester taking a 2-0 lead.

Snelling then kept out a kick, allowing Cole Hinchcliffe to reduce the deficit, but Winchester scored their last two kicks, making Anthony Phillips' conversion irrelevant.

Whitchurch played their final league game of the season on Saturday, losing 2-1 away at Verwood Town. Danny Phillips was United's scorer and they end the campaign sixth in the table.