Tony Yates may have grabbed the goal in this all-Darwen final but it was Glenn Smith who gave Marley's the run around.

Shame he couldn't take penalties though!

For it was livewire Smith who set up Yates for the only goal of the game but then blazed a penalty kick over the bar just before the break that would have put Alex firmly in control.

Smith took his time to get going and so did an Alex Hotel team who had keeper Aidy Smethurst to thank for a string of early saves.

Smethurst made two point blank saves to deny Steve Parkes moments after Chris Doherty appeared to be pulled back by Jonathan Hoole when clear through on goal.

Skipper Paul Egen was the first to show for Alex and he headed wide from Paul Fenick's free kick then saw a firm header from Smith's in-swinging corner well held by Mick Austin.

By now Smith was beginning to cause problems down the left and one cross was well blocked by Craig Stewart before another resulted in Mick Roberts flashing a volley just wide.

However, Smith's next forging run down the flank proved more fruitful when Anthony Perry fooled the Marleys defence when he let the ball run for Yates to arrive late to smash home.

Alex should have doubled their lead a minute later when Perry was up-ended in the box by Lee Clarke but Smith ballooned his spot kick over the bar.

After the break, Smith continued to torment the Marleys defence and he fired just wide after another good run. Austin then had to be alert at this near post to keep out a swivel shot from Egen.

But with just one goal in it, Marleys were always in with a shout and Parkes had one effort blocked before Greg Billington fired wide after latching on to Clarke's raking pass.

Smith had a great chance to put the game beyond Marleys but his delicate lob was well anticipated by Austin.

Marleys rallied one more time -- even keeper Austin joined the attack -- and the impressive Howard Clark fired just wide before Smethurst was called in to action again to save a low drive from Doherty.

In the end, Alex held on to win -- and Smith was not left to pay the penalty.

BLACKBURN COMBINATION EDDLESTON CUP FINAL

Alex Hotel Reserves...1 Marleys Wine Bar...0

ALEX HOTEL RES: Aidy Smethurst, Ian Cox, Carl Pattinson, Paul Fenwick, Jonathan Hoole, Mick Roberts (Mark Canary 82), Tony Perry, Tony Yates, Paul Egen, Glenn Smith, James Briggs (Julian West 65).

STAR MAN: Glenn Smith.

MARLEYS WINE BAR: Mick Austin, Paddy Green (David Hynes 82), Nigel Brindle, Lee Clarke, Greg Billington (Colin Dewhurst 84), Luigi Carnovale, Howard Clark, Neil Gosgrove (Gianni Carnovale 72), Chris Doherty, Steve Parkes.

STAR MAN: Howard Clark