HAVING missed out on the runners-up spot in Division Two at the weekend, Allan Clarke’s White Horse side looked to be heading for further heartache on Thursday evening in the final of the Chantry Digital Ltd-sponsored Knockout Cup against third division winners Potterne FC.

Trailing 2-1 with just minutes remaining they somehow turned things around to claim an unbelievable 3-2 success, which owed much to Dale Rowland’s stunning winner and a last-gasp breathtaking double save from keeper Andy Ladd.

Warminster Town was the stage for the match and White Horse started on the front foot and should have scored on their first attack, but Kane Scott fired his early chance over the bar from 16 yards out.

Potterne grew into the game and for the next 25 minutes they were the better side and had the largest share of the play, with Steven House heading a Tom Lye corner onto the bar on 15 minutes.

Wayne House then had an effort tipped onto the bar by keeper Andy Ladd in the 20th minute and two minutes later House smacked the post with another well-taken shot.

It was during this spell that, after House hit the post, the ball fell to Lee Sanders who rifled home a stunning strike from 20 yards out to give Potterne a deserved lead.

Soon after White Horse lost player-manager Clark through injury and it took a little while for them to settle, however they had the chance to get back on level terms before the interval.

Matt Taccuso gave away a penalty but Paul Beavers put the ball to the right hand side of keeper Craig Campbell andsaw his effort brilliantly saved by the keeper.

White Horse made the better start to the second half but found themselves 2-0 down on 50 minutes.

Neil Clark’s excellent run and pinpoint cross found Wayne House who headed home the villagers' second of the game.

White Horse may have been down but they weren’t out of it and they kept plugging away.

With 15 minutes remaining they won a free kick some 40 yards out, the ball was only half cleared by the Potterne defence to Paul Beavers who atoned for his penalty as from 20 yards he drilled the ball home beyond keeper Campbell.

Chances were now coming at both ends and both Wayne House and Neil Clark went close to adding a third for Potterne.

White Horse immediately broke up field and with two minutes left Dave Whyte conjured up an equaliser for White Horse with another well taken goal.

With extra time looking a certainty White Horse were awarded a free kick, some 25 yards out from goal. Rowland unleashing a thunderbolt over the wall and onto the underside of the bar and into the net giving keeper Campbell no chance whatsoever.

In the closing moments, White Horse keeper Andy Ladd produced a stupendous double save to twice deny Darren Lewis from close range.

Lewis was again denied an equaliser when his effort rattled the crossbar and with that chance went Potterne’s cup hopes as less than a minute later referee Shane Mansfield brought a pulsating game to an end.

Credit goes to both teams who played the game in a competitive and sporting manner and to referee Shane Mansfield and his team of Richard Masters, Megan Fear and George Rabczak who all had good games.

Potterne’s Lee Sanders won the John Ford Memorial Player of the Final Trophy which was presented to him by League Registration Secretary Roxi Meaden, who also presented White Horse winning captain Allan Clarke with the Knockout Cup.

Prior to the final, Potterne received the Division Three winners trophy from League Secretary Colin Kennerson and League chairman Roly Hill.

PICTURES FROM LAST NIGHT'S FINAL IN NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES