UNION Rovers took the Marisa Trophy - but only after a penalty shoot-out after the final against division two side Snainton reserves ended 1-1.

It was the Snainton side’s first-ever Beckett League final but it ended in anguish after a dramatic shoot-out went to sudden death and ended 6-5 in Rovers’ favour.

Union keeper Stuart Corner was the man-of-the-match hero for Rovers, with three stops in the shoot-out.

He initially saved Snainton’s first two penalties, from Matthew Vincent and Nick Ellis, but, with Rovers closing in on victory, Bryde Freer saw his spot-kick saved by Josh Hill and Andrew Thornton, the former Pickering Town favourite, sent their fifth penalty over the bar and into the cricket field.

Nicky Drew, Dan Simpson, Paul Holder had scored for Union, and Dave Pearson, Paul Rennard and Brendon Wilson-McGarry for Snainton as the scores were tied at 3-3. Sudden death was just as edgy.

Dan Bateson and James Wilson scored for Snainton, Nicky Todd and Dwayne Young keeping their nerve for Union.

Corner then saved James Bruce’s penalty, but Hill did likewise to deny Grant Stephens the winner.

Snainton’s Mark Bruce then sent his effort over the bar, and Luke Dawson took his chance to finally give Union the trophy.

In the match itself, Union Rovers had had the better of the opening 15 minutes, with Dean Sleightholme, Dawson and Drew all going close.

Snainton settled down, with Ellis having two good chances saved by Corner, while Wilson saw a 25-yard right-wing cross-cum-shot go just over.

Hill denied Sleightholme at the other end before Union took the lead after 35 minutes through Dan Simpson’s superb header.

Union player-manager Holder also had a good effort well saved.

Snainton’s James Bruce went close on the hour mark, while at the other end Drew headed straight at Hill.

Snainton had a goal disallowed after 76 minutes for handball, but after 83 minutes they levelled through man-of-the-match Matthew Vincent’s 18-yard low shot into the bottom corner to take the final to penalties.