HOLDERS Andover New Street retained the North Hants Senior Cup as they came from behind to beat Alresford 3-2 at the Camrose on Tuesday night.

This clash of Wessex League Premier Division sides saw New Street take the lead after two minutes as the lively Reece Rusher won a corner which he took and Jamie Coleman then scored from close range.

After this Alresford had the better of the first 45 minutes with George Baxter making a number of good saves, but he was unable to stop Paul Coventry levelling things.

Just five minutes after the break, Alresford took the lead in the final for the first time from a Sam Doswell header.

However from then on the holders hit back and it was level again some six minutes later as Callum Sweeney scored to make it 2-2.

The midfielder scored with a superb 25-yard free-kick which flew into the bottom corner of the net.

New Street then went looking for the winner and sub Ilyas Warshow broke away and was completely taken out by the Magpies goalkeeper Jordan Tewkesbury.

The referee had little choice but to send him off and Dan Sayers took over between the sticks and produced a superb save from the free-kick conceded.

However, the holders were not to be denied and sub Warshow grabbed a late winner, to make sure the final was not decided on penalties for the second year running.

For New Street this was the seventh time they have won this trophy since the competition’s inception in 1973.

A delighted New Street manager John Smith said: "All of us are really chuffed to have won the trophy again.

"I felt we started really well, but after we scored they took over the game until half-time.

He added: "I thought we were the better side after the break and in the end deserved to win the game."

New Street still have the chance of making it a double winning season like last year, by retaining the Andover Open Cup.

They now have a date for their semi-final against Andover Town, which is at the Portway Stadium on April 16.

Last Saturday in the league New Street were edged out 3-2 by visiting Brockenhurst with recent new signing Reece Rusher netting both the home side's goals.

This weekend, they will continue their quest to avoid relegation with a home game against Bashley.