DOWNLEY Albion beat Lane End in a dramatic penalty shootout to get their hands on the Wycombe District Cup for the fourth year running.

The cup kings held their nerve to beat Lane End 4-3 on spot kicks in the final at Wycombe Wanderers' Causeway Stadium after the match had finished 1-1 after extra time.

Keeper Craig Belson emerged as their hero, saving two penalties in the shootout to break Lane End hearts.

Proud manager Ziggy Hoffman said: "I'm proud of the lads. I don't think any team in the history of the league has won it four times.

"We've won it four times. Now we want to win it a fifth time next season."

Remarkably Downley have needed penalties to win it in three of the four finals.

Hoffman said: "I don't know what it is about the lads but they seem to be able to hold their nerve when it is needed."

But in the first half it looked as though it would be plain sailing for the cup holders.

James Ramsey fired them ahead inside the opening half hour with a sweet first time effort from a right wing cross and the perennial cup holders then missed several good chances to sew the game up before the half time break.

But it was a different story in the second half.

Lane End came storming back and were full value for their equaliser which came midway through the second period when Gary Tarr finished off a fine move.

At that stage Lane End were well on top and looking the most likely winners but Belson and the magnificent Jerry Richards in the Albion defence kept them at bay.

Extra time could have gone either way with both sides having chances which neither could convert.

That took it to the drama of penalty kicks and Downley used all their experience in that department to keep the cup again.

Hoffman said: "We were really made to work for it. Lane End gave us a really hard game and in the second half they put tremendous pressure on us. It was a great test for us but we showed tremendous character to come through and win it again.

"It was a terrific night. It is always special to play at Adams park and even better when you win there."

Downley were denied a league and cup double though when Bucks CC pipped them to the Wycombe and District League title by two points.