EMOTIONAL Audley manager Andy Beech hailed his team's phenomenal spirit after they defied favourites Nantwich to win the Sentinel Cup 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium last night.

The majority of the Audley side have been with Beech for 10 years, and that showed as their terrific spirit and work-rate swept them to a deserved victory.

There was plenty of Audley quality too, not least with the goals from Simon Rabbitt, on 60 minutes and Jimmy Duffy, on 70, which put them on course for victory before Dan Bell's injury-time strike for Nantwich jangled nerves.

Stoke City season-ticket holder Beech was overjoyed to see his team shine at the Britannia.

He said: "For us to score two goals at the Boothen End was fantastic, and it was special to be in the manager's dug out here.

"But more importantly, playing on this stage was what our lads deserve for all their hard work.

"This team has won 15 trophies over the years and won all 10 finals we've been in. But winning the Sentinel Cup is the pinnacle."

Gracious Nantwich boss Martin Stubbs said: "I am disappointed we didn't play as well as we could.

"But credit to Audley. They might have been underdogs on the night but I thought they played really well."

Audley boss Beech had talked up his team's underdog status before the game, but that was looking like a spot of Mourinho-esque kidology by the end.

They had to survive a bright start from Nantwich who were driven on by midfield powerhouse Lee McAnulty, but their slick passing game was repeatedly frustrated by an Audley side led by commanding skipper Matthew Baker.

What little Baker and fellow centre half Chris Lightfoot missed was tidied up by sweeper Daniel Ruane.

When he was beaten, Nantwich found Audley keeper Simon Jones in inspired form.

But it was Nantwich keeper Stuart Plant who made the save of the first-half after Rabbitt played fellow striker Jordan Thompson through on goal on 42 minutes. Plant narrowed the angle and saved bravely just as Audley's vociferous fans in the 400-strong crowd sensed an opener.

But there was nothing Plant could do 15 minutes into the second half after Ruane launched a long ball which had the Nantwich defence on their heels. The ball broke to Rabbitt 16 yards from goal on the right of the area and he showed superb technique and nerve to drill a low shot across Plant and into the far corner.

Nantwich still hadn't recovered 10 minutes later when they conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal.

Audley man-of-the-match Duffy had already impressed with his quality distribution from left-wing back, work rate and Rory-Delap style long throws. But he capped an excellent individual performance by curling the free-kick left-footed over the wall and just inside Plant's left-hand post.

Nantwich refused to surrender as substitute striker Aidan Haughton caused Audley plenty of problems.

Audley would have breathed easier had Rabbitt not fired just over on 80 minutes, but instead Nantwich stormed forward.

Referee Steve Hopkins allowed time on for injuries, the worst of which was a torn calf muscle to Nantwich's Nick Ridgeway which forced him to be stretchered off.

We were in the third minute of injury time when Bell volleyed home clinically from 10 yards after a corner was half cleared. Audley's fans could barely look by the time Hopkins blew up in the ninth minute of added time to confirm their team's triumph.

The match would have been appreciated by Fred Sigley, the Sentinel charity football competitions stalwart, who died in March, aged 88.

He served as general secretary of the organisation for 25 years, helping the competitions raise thousands of pounds for charity.

He was honoured with a minute's silence before the game, and by the terrific match that followed.

AUDLEY: Jones, Green (Archer) Duffy (Page), Ruane, Baker, Lightfoot, Beech, Cooper, Thompson, Rabbitt, Glover (Brough).

NANTWICH: Plant, Kirkham-Stubbs, Ridgeway (Scott), McAnulty, Fotheringham, Colclough, Holden, Parkes, Bell, Baker (Haughton), Lineker (Williamson). Subs: Mills, Herd.