MILL Hill Under 13s were an agonising penalty shoot-out away from being crowned national champions.

The brilliant Blackburn team, representing the north of England, lost 5-4 on penalites to Staplehurst Monarchs — the south of England champions at Derby County’s Pride Park.

Mill Hill, who have just clinched back-to-back doubles in the East Lancashire Football Alliance, had led 2-1 until their Kent opponents grabbed a dramatic late equaliser.

And they did likewise in extra time with Mill Hill leading 3-2 until the last kick of the game.

But despite losing the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, manager Sean Forkin was proud of his young side.

He said: “This is a great achievement for this Mill Hill side, to reach the last two from 3,600 teams – and it was only the lottery of penalties and not actually football that prevented us from becoming English champions.”

The shoot-out defeat means Mill Hill still boast an incredible record of having never lost an 11-a-side game in normal time.

The run includes consecutive league and cup doubles and back-to-back Lancashire Youth Cups – all of which have been achieved by winning every single game.

After winning the LFA Youth Cup at the County Ground, Leyland, Mill Hill represented Lancashire in the Tesco Northern Regional final in Man-chester where they beat Durham FA side South Shields Whiteleas 1-0 in the final.

Keeper Joshua was named best goalkeeper of the finals with Daniel Bennett picking up the defenders award.

In the national finals, Mill Hill beat the Central England winners 2-0.

Reece Thompson won midfielder player of the tournament and Mark Jeffers won the forwards award.

Tony Regan, secretary of the ESFA, said: “It was a fantastic effort from all of the squad who showed great pride in flying the flag for the club and county and the top level of junior football and should quite rightly be proud of their achievements.”