Retford Town lost out on the chance to win the Notts County Cup Final for the first time in their history last night when they bowed out with a 3-1 defeat to FC Sutton Foresters after a gruelling 120 minutes of action.

With Foresters huge goal tally creating cause for concern, Town decided to revert to a 5-41 formation in the first half to shore up the defence for the expected onslaught. Foresters played a high tempo counter-attacking game and had several close chances cleared off the line or superbly saved by Jay Holberry in the first half, with Towns only real chance coming just before the break when Dan Law was put through one-on-one with the keeper after an excellent Aidy Smith through ball, but his shot was superbly saved by the Foresters keeper.

With the scoreline level after 45 minutes Town decided to revert back to their familiar 3-52 formation, bringing on Dan House in place of Chris Bennett to add more attacking options.

Several chances were created but it was to be a counter attack that lead to Sutton's first goal, a good ball put in from the right hand side and fired in at the back post.

Towns season exploits began to show again after 60 minutes and players began to tire significantly, with Kev Metcalfe coming off with a groin injury. With 10 minutes left on the clock Ash Eagling was replaced by Matt Young, and with 5 minutes remaining Young made his mark by firing home low past the keeper to take the game into extra time.

Tiredness became the big factor in extra time, with Dan Law, Dan House, Aidy Smith, Craig Linley and Graig Gelsthorpe all struggling with various knocks and strains they had picked up. Foresters took advantage and hit two goals in a short space of time to put them firmly in the driving seat. A crunching tackle from Jon Tomlinson on Foresters pacey number 10 striker saw play disrupted for 5 minutes, but there was not enough time for Town to get back into the game and after 120 minutes FC Sutton Foresters ran out 3-1 victors.

Congratulations to FC Sutton Foresters; Notts County Junior Cup Winners 2012/13