HELENSBURGH FC suffered final heartbreak, losing 1-0 to Duntocher Hibs who lifted the AFL League Cup at Millburn Park.

Duntocher, the league champions, settled into the game quicker and knocked the ball about trying to find a weakness in the Burgh team.

Duntocher opened the scoring after 25 minutes.

A cross was whipped in, taking a deflection off the boot of Meader in the Burgh defence which diverted the ball into the path of the incoming forward who despatched it firmly beyond Campbell.

For a short spell Duntocher dominated proceedings but didn’t add to the score. Eventually Burgh managed to shrug of the loss of the goal and press their opponents, Dougie Black’s goal bound shot was blocked by a defender.

Half time came with Duntocher holding a narrow lead.

Ten minutes into Helensburgh decided to throw caution to the wind with the inclusion of Kyle Sharkey and Brooks Tadlock.

This seemed to cause Duntocher some problems and Sharkey’s direct running from the left created some opportunities but they didn’t trouble the keeper.

The game was now being stretched with chances starting to come for both teams. Duntocher had a real opportunity to score but somehow their striker scooped the ball over the crossbar when it was easier to score.

At the other end a Danny Johns header was cleared off the line and an audacious back-heel shot from Black was also blocked during a goalmouth scramble.

Helensburgh frantically pressed for the equaliser. However their task became harder when Gerraint Meader was sent off for a second yellow card and minutes later Campbell in goal should have been sent off when he brought down the striker when he was last man.

Astonishingly the ref decided only to book him and from the resultant penalty Campbell produced a tremendous save down low on his left hand side.

With almost the last kick of the ball he launched it long into the Duntocher half but just as it looked as Tadlock would get half a chance the referee brought the game to an end.

Helensburgh: Campbell, Cavanna, Jones, Gemmell, Johns, Meader, Black, Tadlock, Birnie, Petro, A. sharkey, Conner, Sinclair, K.Sharkey, Park.