A ROB MORRIS strike was not enough as Golcar United went down 2-1 to Campion in the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup final.

It was the Bradford-based side's first victory in the competition, which has been staged since 1900 and which United claimed in 2001.

United took the lead on 56 minutes when a superb header by towering centre-back Liam Rothery struck the base of a post and Golcar's assistant manager Morris was on hand to turn it over the line to the delight of a large travelling contingent from the Colne Valley.

But seven minutes later former Bradford City and Town loan midfielder Des Hamilton equalised with a goal worthy to grace any Cup final.

What appeared to be a harmless clearance upfield was seized upon by the midfielder and he launched a superb lob which dipped over United stopper Matty Day for a stunning equaliser.

Then, as the match was careering towards extra-time, West Riding stalwart Mick Burke found space down the left and he buried a low hard drive inside the far post to send Campion into raptures.

It was a gutting blow to a valiant Golcar side who are battling through a punishing end-of-season schedule.

Having had so many good Cup runs has left Gary Moulson's charges still requiring one point from their final three County Amateur League games to ensure Premier Division status next season.

Campion's Andy Benjamin was a handful down the left but United's outstanding defence of Rothery, Craig Ruscoe and Steve Rushworth comfortably contained most threat and, despite United giving the ball away far too cheaply, Campion struggled to capitalise. On rare occasions when United's passing game came to life, Campion couldn't live with them.

On 24 minutes there were tidy interchanges between striker Will Basnett and industrious Chris Fawcett, who picked out Andrew Biggs down the left. His low hard drive was met by Andrew Allison but he couldn't get a good purchase on it and goalkeeper Craig Roberts made a comfortable gather.

Four minutes later United produced the move of the game when tireless Simon Ollerenshaw steamed forward, flicked the ball out wide to Fawcett, who launched a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Allison, whose shot crashed off the bar with the keeper beaten.

On the half hour a great cross by Biggs picked out Ben Powis in space but his header just looped over the bar.

Campion hit back but Neil Walters' pulled his snapshot wide while Paul Noble threaded a ball through to Benjamin and Rowland Egege sliced his effort inches wide under a strong covering tackle by Rothery.

Benjamin missed a gilt-edged chance before Morris's opener while Burke found space but headed straight into the arms of a grateful Day on 61 minutes. As tiredness crept in, the game opened up, but poor final balls were dealt with easily by both defences.

Benjamin missed a golden chance late on to cap it off for Campion but a third goal for the Bradford-based side would have been rough justice on United, who were today looking to avenge this disappointment when the teams met again in the Premier Division Cup final at Beck Lane.

Golcar United - Day, Fawcett (Byrne 88mins), Rushworth (Thorpe 68), Rothery, Ruscoe, Morris (Senior 68), Ollerenshaw, Powis, Basnett, Allison, Biggs. Subs not used: Brook, Wadsworth (gkp).

Campion - Roberts, Durkin (Trennery 73), Noble, Brown, Pilgrim, Hamilton, Watts, Walters, Burke (Graham 89), Egege (Hussain 64), Benjamin. Subs not used: Howard, Penner.