YORK College footballers were denied glory in a dramatic - and controversial - English Schools FA Under-18s National Cup final as they lost 3-2 to Farnborough Sixth Form College.

The Sim Balk Lane team, who operate in partnership with the i2i sports academy, twice led a thrilling contest at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

But Farnborough came back both times and then took the lead, with York's push for an equaliser proving in vain.

Tom Hullock gave York College the lead in the 17th minute after the Hampshire side failed to clear Matty Savage’s cross and Fraser Hansen’s back-heel, the unmarked Hullock tapping in from five yards.

The major moment of controversy came 10 minutes from the break when Farnborough centre-back Owen Powell seemingly slapped the ball into the net with his hand, referee Dan Andrews failing to spot the volleyball-like slam dunk past Nick Lock in the York goal.

The controversial leveller galvanised Farnborough and they put York under a period of sustained pressure before the sides went in level at the break, the half-time interval coming at a good time for the Minster city team.

York then came out of the blocks ravenous and full of determination, and they dominated possession, spraying the ball around in the opposition half.

They deservedly retook the lead on the hour mark.

Captain Kieron Holmes stormed out from the back into the Farnborough half before getting the ball back from substitute Donald Chimalilo.

Holmes then threaded it through to Hullock, who turned provider - Holmes' composed finish putting York back in front.

However, back came Farnborough again, levelling just six minutes later.

Jake Wilson was the standout player for the Hampshire outfit all afternoon and his superb free-kick from 20 yards out made it 2-2.

York continued to play their own game with the full-backs operating high up the pitch. However, the decisive fifth goal was scored by Farnborough 18 minutes from time.

Sam Henneberg’s long ball in behind Holmes and Joe Dunnett allowed Wilson to spring the offside trap, run clean through on goal and squeeze a shot beyond Lock for his second of the game.

York pushed hard for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes and felt they should have had a penalty in the 85th minute as captain Liam Whyte appeared to barge into Dunnett, but referee Andrews was unconvinced.

York College/i2i have another chance of silverware, though, when they take on Gower College, of Swansea, in the English Colleges FA National Cup final at Walsall's Prescott Stadium on May 3 - having made history by reaching both finals for the first time.