Silver lining for Doughboys as they withstand Posh fightback to win NFA Senior Cup

The Doughboys looked to be on course for a straightforward win at Fernie Fields, the home of Sileby Rangers in Northampton.

Jake Stone's side produced a dream first-half performance as they raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from skipper Jack O'Connor, Will Jones and Joey Evans.

But the Posh youngsters - who had played a league game against Nottingham Forest just the previous day - refused to lie down.

They pulled one back on 75 minutes through Kurtis Simmons, and three minutes later were right back in the game as they made it 3-2 when Simmons slotted home from the penalty spot.

That set up a grandstand finish, with Borough also ending the match with 10 men after Joseph Pursey was sent off in the closing stages.

But the Doughboys did enough to hold on to their narrow advantage and win their first Senior Cup since the mid-1990s.

O'Connor had set Borough on their way as he headed home a Sam Warburton corner on 15 minutes.

Evans then doubled the Doughboys' advantage on 36 minutes and just three minutes later Jones slotted home after being sent through one-on-one with the Posh goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

Simmons then sparked the visitors' fightback in the second half, but it wasn't enough.

The cup final win puts a silver seal on an encouraging season for the Doughboys, who were in contention for a play-off spot for a long time in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, before finishing ninth.

By winning the Senior Cup, the Doughboys can now look forward to a Maunsell Cup Final against either Northampton Town or Peterborough next season.