THORNBURY Town upset the form book when they deservedly beat runaway County League champions Cheltenham Civil Service to secure the Les James County League Cup for the first time in their history.

Civil Service were favourites to complete a league and cup double, but skipper Pete Fowler’s goal in the final minute of the first half was enough to secure the silverware for Thorns, who were runners-up in 2011.

Cheltenham enjoyed some early possession at Slimbridge’s Wisloe Road, but rarely troubled Town goalkeeper Alex Lippiatt.

The closest they came was when Paul Holmes picked up a loose clearance but fired over the bar from the edge of the area.

Thorns gradually took control as the half wore on and had a great opportunity in the 35th minute when a mistake by Civil Service skipper Pates allowed Rob Wilks to race through on goal and his shot beat Tim Griffiths, but cannoned back off the post. Buoyed by this near miss, Thorns pressed forward and a Scott Macleod shot was deflected for a corner.

Luke Frankin’s delivery from the left was headed home by the unmarked Fowler at the far post to give Town the lead just a minute before the break. In stoppage time Town almost doubled their lead when Rob Wilks through ball set Dan Rees clear but his low shot was smartly saved by Cheltenham keeper Griffiths.

Civil Service had scored more than 100 goals during their County League campaign, but an impressive defensive display from Thornbury, with Nathan Sage and Fowler outstanding denied them few chances.

Early in the second half Nathan Irwin’s effort was punched away by Griffiths and 10 minutes later Wilks again linked up well with Rees but the striker trying to lob the keeper lifted his shot too high. With 20 minutes gone Civil Service’s John Evans almost grabbed an equaliser but his goalbound shot was brilliantly turned up onto the bar by Lippiatt.

With 15 minutes remaining Smith was tripped right on the edge of the box with referee Andrew Sheppard correctly awarding a free-kick rather than a penalty, but the set piece was wasted. In the 74th minute Cheltenham were reduced to ten men when Connor Hart was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Scott Macleod.

Thornbury were also reduced to 10 men 10 minutes later when Toby Bennett received a second yellow card for a foul on Smith. Civil Service pressed for an equaliser in the dying minutes but Pates nodded a free-kick just wide. Meanwhile at the other end Danny Thompson was put clear by Wilks but was squeezed off the ball as he tried to cut inside his marker.

In the last few seconds a great challenge by Nathan Sage to deny Jones in the penalty area led to a loud appeal for a penalty but the referee waved play on and Thornbury held on for a well deserved victory.

Teams. Cheltenham Civil Service: T Griffiths, R Smith, J Gowers (M Jones 78), T Hoskins, C Pates, C Hart, S Midwinter, C Smith, P Holmes, J Sklenar, J Evans.

Thornbury Town: A Lippiatt, J Guest, T Webb, N Sage, P Fowler, T Bennett, S Macleod (D Thompson 79), N Irwin, R Wilks, D Rees (J Pirie 82), L Franklin.