Former Huddersfield Town striker John McAliskey returned to the John Smith’s Stadium to claim a cup-final winner.

Nine years after leaving Town, the ex-Republic of Ireland Under 21 international helped Huddersfield YMCA win the District FA Challenge Cup with a 1-0 victory over his old club Golcar United.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match, never mind Huddersfield’s most prestigious knockout competition.

WATCH: Heyside beat Hepworth United in Barlow Cup final

WATCH: Town under-14s player hits wonder goal

McAliskey, 31, was a League II play-off winner with Town in 2004 and scored eight goals in 48 games for his hometown club before playing for Mansfield Town and Altrincham.

And he has obviously remembered the way to the back of the net.

His YMCA teammate Danny Naidole broke superbly down the left and whipped in a low cross.

It reached McAliskey on the edge of the box and he turned and shot low into the corner from 20 yards, giving keeper Ash Connor no chance.

It was a moment of quality in what turned out to be something of a tense, nervy meeting of the West Riding County Amateur League rivals.

Title-chasing YMCA, who are also through to the WRCAL Premier Division Cup final, certainly deserved their victory but neither side gave a commanding performance.

McAliskey’s strike was in the 27th minute and his side dominated the first half, forcing a series of corners and free-kicks.

Golcar struggled to break down their opponents but did come to life after the break, with some good work by Mike Kitson and Dom Moorhouse.

But the Colne Valley side were dealt a blow when midfielder and former Town Juniors player Max Leonard was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the space of 15 minutes.

Tempers flared again in the closing stages, prompting a flurry of cautions after a centre-circle melee involving several players.

But YMCA did not let it rattle them and they saw out the match with ease.

Huddersfield YMCA: McLachlan, Stocker, Szostak, Aitken, Jagger (Brown), Salm, Riley (Bradshaw (L)), Shooter, McAliskey, Mugadza, Naidole. Subs not used: Tuff, Bradshaw (J), Gayle.

Golcar: Connor, Davies, Tayo, Conway (Cornelly), Gant, Jenkins, Moorhouse, Leonard, Siddiq, Kitson, Hillhouse (Lawrence). Subs not used: Whitaker, Kelly, Smith.

Referee: Andrew Noble. Assistants: Steve Crawshaw, Barry South, Adam Farmer (fourth).