CALLUM OVERTON’S second-half goal gave Mark Bennett the perfect send-off as ten-man Pagham beat Haywards Heath 1-0 to lift the Peter Bentley Cup, writes Anthony Scott.

Overton struck just after the hour at the Beacon to deny the Southern Combination premier division champions a league and cup double.

The final was tinged with controversy as referee Barrie Small blew for a Heath foul just before they put the ball in the net, while Pagham had a strong penalty claim waved away.

Bennett, who is leaving the Lions after almost 18 months, said: “Whilst we didn’t have as much of the ball as I would have liked, I felt we defended admirably.

“We had 14 players out there who gave their all and I am delighted to win the cup for the club. The chairman, committee and countless volunteers deserve to celebrate and I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

Trevor McCreadie headed over for Heath while James Binfield brilliantly turned a Jamie Weston free-kick bound for a top corner over the bar.

The Lions went close just before the break when Weston hooked off the line after James Thurgar got a touch to Scott Murfin’s set-piece delivery.

The first major talking point came on the hour when Max Miller whipped in a cross after being fouled and Melford Simpson nodded in as the referee blew for a free-kick.

The decision proved costly for Shaun Saunders’ side moments later when Overton cut in from the right and his effort deflected over Josh James.

Overton thought he had won a 70th-minute penalty but after his appeals were ignored Pagham captain Dan Swain picked up a second caution and was sent off for his protests.

Simpson and Callum Saunders were off target as Heath pressed but Pagham almost doubled their lead in the eighth minute of added time when Scott Murfin was denied by James.

The Lions held out to win their first trophy since the RUR Cup in 1989.

Pagham: Binfield, N. Murfin, Cox, Davidson, Wollers, Swain, Rowlatt, Humphries (Van Driel 64), Overton, S. Murfin (Cody 90), Thurgar (Ryan 64). Subs not used: Bingham, Selby.

Booked: N. Murfin, Cox, Swain, Overton, Ryan.

Sent-off: Swain.

Haywards Heath: James, Daly, Weston, Hayward, Cooper, Graves, Saunders, Akehurst, Simpson, McCreadie, Miller. Subs not used: Rogers, Louis, Doherty, Spinks, Lehky. Booked: Akehurst.