League Knock-Out Cup Final, played at Wordsworth Drive, Taunton.

Highbridge Town 1, Locomotives 2 (AET)

HIGHBRIDGE’S hopes of putting their dreadful league campaign behind them by landing the League Knock-Out Cup were dashed on Saturday, after a controversial extra-time winner for their Division One opponents.

Last season’s Division One champions Highbridge started brightly and Will Bailey went close twice with headers.

Bailey was involved in the opening goal after 30 minutes. He burst towards the edge of the box and the ball broke to Wayne Hand, who smashed home from the edge of the box.

Highbridge would have been value for a half-time lead but just before the break, Locomotives levelled matters.

They were awarded a soft free-kick, and the ball was delivered into the box, where Picton was in two minds about whether to stay on his line or try and clear the ball.

In the end, a Locomotives striker got there first and although Picton got a hand to the ball, he could not prevent it from crossing the line.

The second half saw few clear chances for either side, and so the game headed into extra time.

The game’s pivotal moment came midway through the first period of extra time. A Locomotives player ran onto a through ball and slotted the ball past Picton and into the far corner of the goal, although the Highbridge players felt he was clearly offside.

Afterwards, club secretary Terry Earl said: “Everybody at the ground could see he was five yards offside, except the linesman”.

Locomotives were awarded a dubious penalty after a challenge in the box by Ryan Elliott, but Picton tipped it over the bar.

Highbridge had chances of their own, including an effort cleared off the line and a goal ruled out for offside, but Locomotives clung on.

Earl said afterwards: “It was very disappointing. I cannot fault the players for their effort, but we just didn’t get the rub of the green.”

Highbridge finish their league campaign away at Staplegrove on Saturday.

Team: John Picton, Ricky Cook, Ryan Elliot, Stuart Green, Sam Redstone, Chris Jays, Will Bailey, Dan Saunders, Pete Thomson, Wayne Hand, Rich Cattell. Subs: Ross Marsh, Craig Griffiths, Simon Fouracres, Craig Holley.