DESPITE going a goal down, Appleby stormed back to see off a valiant Kendal County challenge and win The Westmorland FA Invitation Trophy Final.

The first half was evenly contested but extremely scrappy with both teams struggling to gain any momentum.

It was last season's Senior Challenge Cup winners County who created the first real opportunity as Connor Walmsley fired over, but Appleby hit back and Jonathan Smith and Ben Jackson just failed to connect from a far post corner.

And the game really came to life in the final 20 minutes when Dan Ferguson gave County the lead as he headed in from a corner.

But Appleby battled back in dramatic fashion, Neil Dean equalising before Antony Lund bagged what proved to be the winner as he fired in off the post.

In the Senior Challenge Cup, Ben Thomas’s brace and goals from Jamie Woodruff and Elliot Bousfield eased Milnthorpe Corinthians into the next round as they won 4-1 at Sedbergh and Dent United.

Benevolent Trophy holders Kendal United eased into the next round of the competition when Bailey Kenny’s hat trick helped them to a 4-1 win at Shap, while Endmoor KGR won 2-1 at Kirkby Stephen with Jordan Kenny and Nathan Dixon on the scoresheet.

Wetheriggs United saw off Ibis 5-4 after extra time with Andrew Murray Jones scoring twice for the hosts in a dramatic game, while Windermere defeated Kendal County Reserves 4-1.

In the Junior Cup, Greystoke won 4-2 at Braithwaite, while in the James Cropper Westmorland League Division Two, braces from James Bennett and Matt Kennedy helped Kendal United Reserves to a 6-1 win at AFC Carlisle.

Ambleside United let a three goal lead slip as they drew 3-3 with Penrith Academy, while Windermere Reserves won 3-1 at Appleby Reserves and Keswick Reserves drew 3-3 against Sedbergh and Dent United Reserves drew 3-3.

In Division Three, Wetheriggs United Reserves won 2-1 at Langwathby United, Kirkoswald Reserves defeated Sedbergh and Dent United A 2-0, Staveley United Reserves and Penrith Royal drew 4-4 while Ullswater United edged out Eden Thistle 3-2.