KENDAL County have remained unbeaten Westmorland League champions - a feat last recorded 12 years ago by Kendal United during the 1994/5 season.

County manager Dave Chambers ought to know, he was in the United side, and said: "It's been the driving force for the lads to go for the unbeaten record since taking the title a fortnight ago ands it's a cracking achievement by them."

For good measure, County laid hands on the High Sheriff's Cup last Thursday for the league and cup double.

With the early-season Invitation Trophy also in safe-keeping, with County, it adds up to a memorable trophy hat-trick.

County were made to work hard for their High Sheriff's triumph over Keswick, however, and it took a stoppage-time strike to clinch a 4-3 win in the final at Coniston.

County went a goal down when bad marking at a setpiece left Gary Loan unmarked at the back post and he headed past keeper Oliver Parry.

Ten minutes later County were level again when Dan Johnson and Gary Taylor combined and Taylor turned one of the Keswick centre-backs inside out before placing his shot into the corner corner from the edge of the penalty box.

It remained 1-1 up to half time and County performed a lot better in the second half to go ahead.

Craig Walmsley released Johnson and he put the ball across the face of goal for Taylor to poke in at the back post from close range.

County were on top and when Walmsley's free kick from just inside the Keswick half bounced up on the six-yard box, Johnson headed in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 3-1.

Within a minute, Keswick scored to make it 3-2 and spark off a frantic final few minutes.

A mix-up at the back allowed Keswick's Paul Frampton to slip an equaliser past Parry, who was carrying a knee injury sustained earlier in the match.

But the tables were turned straight from the kick-off. Jamie Close flew down the wing and put over the cross. As Taylor challenged a defender for the ball, it bobbled loose for Johnson to knock in the winner - ending an 18-year gap since the club last won the cup.

n Sedbergh keeper Melvyn Cragg did his best, along with his resolute team-mates, to spoil County's league record in the final game of the season on Tuesday.

It ended 3-2 but Sedbergh led before late goals from Dan Ferguson and two from Craig Walmsley, the first of them a penalty, sealed the 21st win out of 21 games - the other result a draw with deposed champions Wetheriggs.

n For final table see page 21.