Lostock Gralam 2 Wythenshawe Town 5

LOSTOCK Gralam finished as runners-up in the JA Walton Challenge Cup for the second successive season, denying departing manager Ross Speight a chance to sign off with a knockout double.

He ended a nine-year spell with the Northwich outfit following the final whistle at Barnton's Townfield Lane home.

“I’m gutted to lose but proud too of the lads that battled and grafted,” he said afterwards.

“It was a good competitive game, and the best team on the day won. Wythenshawe deserve the plaudits.”

The League Two side went ahead after 10 minutes when Ben Brookes found himself in space on the edge of the Grey Lambs’ penalty area, shooting past goalkeeper Shaun Bird.

Remmy Williams doubled their advantage midway through the opening period.

Lostock halved their arrears when James Dean hit home after half an hour, only for a defensive mix-up to gift Jonathan Rand a chance to make it 3-1 to Wythenshawe.

Brookes bagged his second goal of the game, the Manchester side’s fourth, shortly after the interval only for Callum Priestley to convert a free kick with his head to keep alive Lostock’s hopes of victory.

However a chance to celebrate a second cup success following last month’s Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup final win against Middlewich ended with eight minutes left when Wythenshawe substitute Philip Clorley finished smartly. 

Speight will be replaced at Park Stadium by a management pairing made up of former Lostock player Dom Johnson and ex-Witton youth team boss Chris Appleton.