MALVERN Town were denied for the third time as their quest to land three cups ended in a penalty shoot-out heartbreak at Ludlow on Monday night.

BRIERLEY & HAGLEY 4, MALVERN TOWN 4 (aet)

(Brierley won on penalties)

In what was perhaps one of the most dramatic West Midlands League Cup finals ever played, Town were constantly denied by the brilliance of Phil Walters in the Brierley and Hagley goal. But even then, a Nathan Jukes penalty in the 62nd minute still looked to be enough to put Town's name on the cup.

But it wasn't to be, as a helter skelter final produced turn after turn. Within just eight minutes of normal time remaining, Brierley and Hagley equalised with a brilliant strike from the side of the Town penalty area, but before they had time to settle, Lee Hooper broke clear of their defence and fired an unstoppable shot past Walters.

Town then passed up opportunities to increase their lead and paid a heavy price for this when, with just sixteen seconds of normal time left on referee Neil Radford's watch, a corner was only half cleared to edge of the box and for the second time an empathic strike gave Dave Alden no chance.

Town failed to find any sort of rhythm in extra time and went behind for the first time, when Brierley scored from close range in the 99th minute. Things got worse for Malvern, when their opponents broke to secure what appeared to be an unassailable 4-2 lead with just ten minutes of extra time remaining.

But more drama was to follow as Adam Baldwin brilliantly volleyed home what might have been a consolation strike with just three minutes left. But almost from the restart Des Cox set up Hooper, who beat Walters from close range to send the tie into penalties.

Dave Alden got things off to a great start for Malvern when he saved the first of the spot kicks. The normally lethal Jukes was first up for Town, but Walters predictably produced an outstanding save.

The next two kicks for either side were converted, Rik Halion and Cox scoring for Town. But then Alden saved again, so if Hooper converted Town's fifth attempt they would lift the trophy, but Walters again denied Town.

Adam Baldwin converted Town's sixth strike, but Hagley converted once more and it was agony for Nathan Owen as Walters dived to his left to save the midfielder's effort and clinch his side the Trophy.

After the game, Town skipper Craig Williams was presented with the West Midlands League Premier Division trophy.

A review of Malvern Town's championship winning season will be in next week's Malvern Gazette.