Leek County School Old Boys passed their scholarship with honours at Harrison Park on Saturday and handed FA Vase finalists Kirkham & Wesham a rare away defeat to end what has been so far, a magnificent first season for
the Lancastrians in Vodkat North West Counties League Two.
But in truth this defeat should never have happened.
Too many Kirkham players looked as if they had another fixture on their minds as a succession of chances was squandered, in what was a one-sided match - that is until Leek forward Mark Thorley got his boot onto the end of an almighty mix-up in the visitors defence after 62 minutes.
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And it had all started so brightly for Kirkham with their hosts lining up pre-match to applaud them onto the field for their achievement in getting to the Wembley Showpiece.
But they will have to play 100 per cent better than this if they want to bring the trophy back north in a week's time.
Kirkham had their chances to win this end of season encounter deep in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Full-back Allan Jackson brought a super one-handed save out of Leek keeper Gavin Deaville on the hour mark - it would have been Jackson's first of the season.
And the irony of it was, that within 45 seconds Leek had grabbed what was, the eventual match winner at the other end.
Phil Blackwell had the ball in the net after 79 minutes only to be adjudged offside, while how 28-goal striker Sean Paterson hit the bar when he was almost on the goal line only he will know.
That fell to him with seven minutes left to play and while both subs Matt Walwyn and James Sheppard went close late on, it was never going to be enough to grab a point and extend an 11 game unbeaten run going into the Vase final next week.
Boss Mick Fuller said after: "Hopefully we will have learnt our lesson.
It's no use playing all the football and then getting caught by a sloppy goal.
"It was a soft goal and disappointing to get beat. But we had enough chances - at least to get a point."
Defeat has given the Kirkham boss a few things to ponder ahead of Wembley.
It's clear a week's rest after such a gruelling end to the season which saw them travel down the M6 corridor to the Potteries three times in five days took its toll.
Leek manager John Lowton added: "To be fair l think Kirkham had half an eye on Wembley today.
"We've been on a bit of a good run lately and it was nice to finish with a win."
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