Steadfast Selby Town were muddied marvels last night to end more than 30 years without a cup triumph.

The Robins lifted the Northern Counties East League's President's Cup after skidding through a mud, sweat and cheers mission against NCEL premier division title favourites Ossett Albion.

On an already drenched Flaxley Road pitch turned into a quagmire by persistent downpours Selby were beaten 2-1 on the night. But they triumphed 3-2 on aggregate to sample their first major knockout success since the early 1960s.

It was the hero of the first leg Kristian Baxter, who proved the ace in the hole for Town in the second leg return.

Baxter bagged both goals in the first meeting between the two sides. This time it took the product of Selby's Academy ranks just 12 minutes to again prove the scourge of Ossett Albion when he sped clear of the visitors' offside trap, rounded the Albion goalkeeper and slid the ball in from a narrow angle despite the attention of a retreating defender.

However, any joy at taking a 3-0 lead over both legs was diluted within nine minutes when Albion countered through Mark Higginbotham and the home cutting edge was somewhat blunted when Baxter had to go off ten minutes before half-time with a twisted ankle.

But Selby not only held out, they managed to create several good chances. A shot from Andy Hart came back off the crossbar and the Ossett 'keeper made two fine saves.

The visitors finally nudged in front on the night through Higginbotham again a minute from time leaving Selby to survive only a few more anxious seconds before they could celebrate a long-awaited cup conquest.

Updated: 11:59 Wednesday, April 25, 2001