Stuttering Staveleys survived a Whinney Hill fightback to overcome their cup final fears.

For Staveleys, who lost in last year's final under the name of Hyndburn Bridge, were in danger of throwing it away all again.

It was an exciting, if unlikely, climax to the Walmsley Cup.

Unlikely because when Neil Cannings bundled home his second goal soon after the restart, Staveleys were 3-0 up and in complete control.

The cup was all but won.

However, they didn't reckon on a Whinney Hill fightback, and two goals in the space of a minute midway through the half, left them hanging on for dear life.

It seemed like it was going to be a stroll in the park for Staveleys --or to be more precise, a stroll in the Interlink Express Stadium.

Whinney Hill had a few nibbles early on -- Paul Edmundson fired over the bar in the second minute -- but nothing to worry John Collier in the Staveleys goal. Instead, Staveleys bossed proceedings. Big Christopher Smith had a big game in the middle of the park while Wesley Dunn, cousin of former Blackburn Rovers star David, showed that he was blessed with the footballing gene.

Smith pinged passes around the park while Dunn was instrumental early on, curling one free kick just wide of Jason Manning's left upright.

And Staveleys strikeforce of Cannings and Paul Graham looked lively up against Tony Jones and Phillip Price who, despite their dominance in the air, looked sceptical when threatened with pace.

And the two strikers combined to give Staveleys the lead after 25 minutes. Graham nodded Collier's long punt in to the path of Cannings who looked up, and spotting Manning off his line, lobbed the keeper from a full 35 yards. A second goal soon arrived to underline Staveleys dominance.

Smith surged from deep and fed Graham who outpaced Price to whip in a cross and Jones stuck out a lazy leg to deflect the ball past his own keeper.

Just before the break, Cannings nearly scored his second but Manning produced a great save to turn his shot on to the bar. But Cannings second was not long in coming. A minute in to the second half, Manning spilled Graham's low curling effort, and his strike partner was on hand to bundle home the loose ball.

Whinney Hill threw on Gareth Talbot and Adam Biscomb and suddenly began to play with more urgency. Tricky winger, Paul Prestage, began to make things happen down the left while Ryan Fisher and Edmundson were winning challenges they had been second to.

James Price pulled a goal back after good work by Edmundson and, a minute later, Edmundson played his part in Whinney's second goal, fired home from close range by Biscomb.

Staveley's were definitely wobbling and Whinney went in search of the knockout blow.

Prestage nearly caught Collier napping with a cross that bounced on the crossbar and away to safety. The keeper then had to be alert to turn the winger's free kick with the last kick of the game.

When the whistle blew, Staveleys were a relieved team indeed.

John Collier (keeper) Looked comfortable on the ball. No chance with goals...6

Anthony Cotterell (right back) Did everything asked of him...6

Christopher Barrientos (left back) Big, strong and dependable...6

Russell Bentley (centre back) Good game but suspect when put under pressure...6

Stephen Turner (centre back) Commanded the back line but made to work in closing stages...7

Wesley Dunn (right midfield) Classy display but faded and was subbed with cramp...7

Lee Wilkinson (left midfield) Busy display in defence and attack...7

Christopher Smith (centre midfield) Ran the show in the first half, faded in the second...7

Steven Forrest (centre midfield) Got stuck in and covered a lot of ground...7

Neil Cannings (striker) Great awareness for first of his two goals...7

HPaul Graham (striker) Pacy striker didn't score but had a hand in all three goals...8

Subs

John Pickup (striker) Put himself about up front...6

Phil Allen (midfield) Little chance to impress...6

Jason Manning (keeper) At fault for Cannings goal but made some good saves...6

Marvin Hoskin (right back) Defended well and good distribution...7

Shane Brown (left back) Had a fair old tussle with Wilkinson...6

Tony Jones (centre back) Good in the air, slow on the ground...6

Phillip Price (centre back) Like Jones, struggled when strikers ran at him...6

James Price (right midfield) Scored Whinney's second to set up thrilling finale...6

Paul Prestage (left midfield) A lively display once he got in to the game...6

Stuart Biggs (centre midfield) Never shirked a challenge and gave his all...6

Ryan Fisher (centre midfield) Quiet start but livened up once Whinney got back in the game...6

HPaul Edmundson (striker) A willing worker up front and set up both goals...7

James Cunningham (striker) Bright start but faded out of the game...6

Subs

Gareth Talbot (striker) Added pace and impetus when he came on...7

Adam Biscomb (midfield) Made things happen when he came on...7