FOOTBALL minnows St Aelred's came within touching distance of cementing a York Primary Cup fairytale but fell at the final hurdle.

The school had finished second bottom in League D' but proved to be the surprise package in the cup as they despatched Dunnington, Haxby Road and New Earswick before pocketing a ticket to the final with a 2-0 defeat of Poppleton Ousebank, who had seen off Champions League winners Osbaldwick.

Clifton with Rawcliffe Federation were the force to be reckoned with from the other side of the draw. They reached the semis care of a bye after Riverside pulled out where they beat Westfield 1-0 in a game worthy of the final.

Westfield had reached that stage after finally ending a 3-3 and 2-2 replay deadlock against Robert Wilkinson on penalties.

The finals pitched the renowned Clifton with Rawcliffe firepower against the St Aelred's challengers and the fairytale ended with a 2-0 win for Clifton with Rawcliffe to clinch a treble of their own with League B' and the PTA Trophy already in the bag.