A PENALTY shoot-out decided Appleby's fate in the High Sheriff's Cup final against Wetheriggs at Penrith on Thursday.

An otherwise classic match watched by a big crowd was marred, however, said Appleby boss Jock Nugent, by the sending-off of right full-back David Fleming after 20 minutes.

"It was his first tackle and admittedly mistimed, but everyone on the ground apart from the referee thought it was a yellow card, and even the Wetheriggs players said that to me afterwards.

"I also thought that the penalty he gave us late on was not justified," he added.

Appleby lost 5-4 on penalties after the sides finished 3-3 after extra time.

Appleby went ahead after 12 minutes when a Ben Greenhow corner was met by Craig Nelson, who powered in the header.

Despite going down to 10 men, Appleby made it 2-0 as Paul Moffet was put through to run on and launch an 18-yard screamer into the top corner.

Wetheriggs made their extra man count in the second half and levelled the scores in the second half with goals from Martin Tremble and a 91st-minute effort from Kevin Walker, which took the final to extra time Wetheriggs went 3-2 up five minutes from the end of the second period of extra time through Martin Strong, who outpaced the defence and fired into the corner.

Play then went straight up to the other end and Appleby were awarded a penalty, which John Coward stroked home to level the scores.

In the penalty shoot-out that followed, the first four players from each side scored and when Appleby sub Martin Fleming missed and then Stuart Havery scored, the cup was in Wetheriggs' hands, giving them a league and cup double.

Despite their league and cup double Wetheriggs ended their season with a defeat.

In their last league match on Monday they were beaten 4-2, by Sedbergh, a result which lifted Wanderers to a mid-table finish in Division One.

The final relegation issue was settled in Division Three when Kendal Celtic and Coniston Reserves drew 1-1, a results which sends Coniston down to Division Four.

n Westmorland FA's annual meeting is at Kendal Town Hall on June 19, at 10.30am, and will be immediately followed by the annual meeting of the Westmorland League.

Results: Monday; Division One: Sedbergh Wanderers 4, Wetheriggs United 2.

Thursday, May 13: Division One: High Sheriff's Cup final - Appleby 3 Wetheriggs United 3 (Wetheriggs won 5-4 on penalties.

Division Three: Kendal Celtic 1, Coniston Reserves 1.