A golden goal from Nick Corbett gave Eastbourne a 2-1 victory over South Saxons in the Sussex Plate final.

Corbett, known as Ronnie, had the last laugh in a tight contest by converting a penalty flick three minutes into the second period of extra time.

Eastbourne had beaten Saxons twice in the league this season but they were given a tough game by a Saxons side who led at half time.

Tim Eldridge had already forced Eastbourne keeper Russell Stanley into two good saves from short corners before Saxons took the lead with their fourth short corner of the match on 17 minutes. Eldridge's shot was blocked again but Des Smith snapped up the loose ball to make it 1-0.

Saxons had further chances before half time through Toby Reed and Karl Lewington as Eastbourne struggled to get their game going.

The second half was a different story with Eastbourne dominating possession and pinning Saxons in their own 25 for long periods.

The breakthrough came eight minutes into the second period when Will Bryant scored following a short corner.

Eastbourne kept pressing and got their reward in extra time when Corbett held his nerve to convert the flick.

James Mackay, who is stepping down as Eastbourne skipper, said: "It is the end of my five years as captain and it is nice to win some silverware at the end of it.

"It was a tough game and we didn't play particularly well but in the second half we started to show we were the better side.

"It sets us up nicely for whoever takes over next year."

Saxons skipper George Deaves said: "We thought we were fair for a draw out of it. We would have been happy taking it to strokes because we would have been confident of winning it there. The flick was unfortunate and we felt we should have had one five minutes before that."

Eastbourne: Stanley, Pietzsch, S. Rham, Temple, Conlon, Mackay, Birch, Morgan, Hill, A. Williams, Cunningham. Subs: Bryant, B. Rham, Corbett.

Saxons: Deaves, Ford, Cload, Cornish, Watters, White, Eldridge, Burnett, Smith, Bunday, Harvey. Subs: Lewington, Reed, Kidman.