Skegness Town 3 Grimsby Borough 3 (after extra time)
(Grimsby Borough won on penalties)

But Skegness will be disappointed they didn't complete a memorable treble at Boston United's Staffsmart Stadium.


They had one hand on the trophy, but loss of discipline just when it mattered most, saw the seasiders fall at the final hurdle.


The experienced Lincoln referee Peter King set his standards from the first whistle, but the Lilywhites didn't take heed and Mark Hallam was the first to talk himself into Mr King's book in the sixth minute.


By then Skegness should have been in front. Borough were caught napping at the back in the first minute and Paul Watts broke clear, but his shot lacked any power and keeper James Harness dropped onto the ball.


A Damian Howland block at one end set up Town's next chance on the break. Crossley played a rushed one-two with Watts, and crossed from the left, but Watts couldn't keep his shot down.


The better chances were falling to Town, but Borough were looking sharper in midfield. Micky Steer was particularly prominent, probing the Skegness defence with his short passes.


And it was Steer who was involved in the opening goal after 16 minutes. It was he who caused problems for the seasiders at the near post at a long throw and when the ball broke to the far Nathan Ireland had the simple task of sweeping home from ten yards.


James Archer received a caution for a foul after 19 minutes and this was followed two minutes later by a foul on him by Steer, which earned the Grimsby number 7 a yellow card. It was turning out to be a busy afternoon for Mr King.


Skegness finally equalised midway through the first half when Ben Davison rose majestically to glance Hallam's cross past Harness.


But the Skegness joy was short lived. Within a minute Steer had blasted Borough's second into the roof of the net from close range while defenders dallied.


Town's second equaliser came just before the interval from the boot of Hallam, who side-footed a volley past Harness after a shot from Watts looped into the air off the body of a blocking defender.


With four goals in the first half you wondered if the pace could be maintained on such a warm and strength-sapping afternoon.


But sure enough, Skegness edged in front within five minutes of the restart, Watts firing past Harness from close range following a corner from the right. This was his ninth goal in this season's competition and 39th in all.


But it didn't prove to be the winner.