What’s certain is Knaresborough Town are going places while of Spa Athletic, Adam Tennant would have been proud.

Huge underdogs anyway, Harrogate League side Spa were asked to play their second final in three days after Tuesday’s Senior Cup clash went to penalties.

Spa also feel 3-1 should have been 2-2 - adamant that a legit equaliser was chalked off for offside and that Knaresborough’s third hadn’t crossed the line.

Spa began brightly with some lovely passing football, George Medd was impressive on the right hand side and it was Medd who instigated a tenth minute move that ended with Ben Jones hitting the crossbar though the striker was offside.

The Harrogate Leaguers were well on top - Knaresborough’s first foray on goal not arriving until 15 minutes but slowly the Manse Laners began to turn the screw.

Class act skipper Liam Gray was gradually finding more space in the centre of the park and Gray released Steve Davey whose cross found Jared McGivern, Barry Galton tipping the striker’s header on to the ‘bar and over.

Then, from Matt Pearson’s cross, Alex Carter was presented a free header but the defender missed the target when he should have scored.

A let off for Spa but Tony Simpson’s side rallied, Carter clearing a Jones effort off the line amidst a mad scramble and Mark Millet firing a decent chance wide from the edge of the area.

Generally, though, ‘Boro’ were shading it and Matt Thompson shot over the right stanchion before taking the ball too wide and wasting a good chance soon after following another Gray through ball.

A goal was coming but no danger looked apparent on 37 minutes when ‘Boro’ were awarded a free-kick - dead central from around 35 yards.

However, that distance failed to perturb Dave Thomas who lashed a thunderbolt to smash the crossbar and rebound off a helpless Galton over the line.

It really was a screamer and one of the best free-kicks you could have seen.

Spurred on, Thomas and ‘Boro’ charged into half-time and Thompson almost sealed matters with a 43rd minute header that sailed just over the ‘bar.

However, in between came Spa’s first bone of contention - a Pat Taylor ‘equaliser’ that was disallowed for offside.

A lovely move, Millet’s ball played in the striker who rounded Simon Old before smashing home only to be called back for offside.

Spa were adamant the goal should have stood and either way the decision was crucial as three minutes after half-time, Knaresborough scored their all important second.

Spa actually began the half with a threatening corner but ‘Boro’ countered and a 48th minute Steve Davey free-kick was whipped in for Thompson to head home.

Despite the goal and evidently tired legs, Spa rallied bravely and Medd, soldiering on with a broken nose, was released on the right hand side but rushed his chance and shot wide.

Spa were very much part of this cup final but Knaresborough really rubbed the salt in with a highly controversial third.