A superb see-sawing contest looked set for extra-time until Hatton rose highest to head in a Greg Brabon free-kick in the final minute of stoppage time.

Having been runners up in the competition in 2011 and again in 2014, it was third time lucky for Ant Parsons’ side after their dramatic come-from-behind victory.

Jamie Wanstall had put Roffey ahead on the cusp of half-time, only for substitute Nigel Smith to bring his side level early in the second-half.

Cowfold boss Parsons felt that an additional thirty minutes would have taken its toll on his side, and said: “Any cup final victory is special, but to win it in the last minute like we have makes this even more so.

“We were the better side in the first-half and were very unfortunate to go in 1-0 down. In the second-half they had more chances than us but I always felt there was a way back for us.

“We needed to win it in the ninety minutes, some of our lads were tiring and I think we would have struggled with an extra thirty.

“I’m absolutely chuffed and delighted; we’re going to enjoy this tonight and then need to focus on the league because we’re fourth from bottom, which in my eyes is a false position.”

Mark Edmonds dragged a shot wide for Cowfold early on, and Wanstall then went close at the other end in a lively start to an entertaining contest.

Aaron Jeal saved well from Ben Hands and substitute Smith was thwarted by a lunging last-ditch challenge by Adam Wicking when clean through.

Roffey took the lead, however, against the run of play on the stroke of the interval when Wanstall cut inside and finished well from close range.

The lead did not last long though, and Cowfold were level within five minutes of the restart.

Great work by Edmonds down the right saw him pick out Smith to power home a header from eight yards.

Hands had a snap-shot tipped wide by Jeal and opposite number Marshall blocked well from Wanstall before Wicking went close with a speculative shot from distance.

The contest continued to ebb and flow, with further chances at either end as the clock ticked down.

David Major’s whipped free-kick evaded everyone and drifted narrowly wide, before Jeal was called into action at the other end.

A superb low save from the Roffey keeper kept out Smith following a Brabon corner in the second minute of injury time.

That looked set to pave the way for extra-time but there was to be even later drama to come.

Cowfold were awarded a free-kick wide on the left and Hatton steered home his header from Brabon’s delivery to spark scenes of wild celebrations.

(Photographs from the match can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)
(Video highlights from the match can be found above and also on YouTube - courtesy of FilmMyMatch)

Stats: (Cowfold-Roffey)
Goals: 2-1; Shots: 15-12; Shots-on-target: 5-4; Corners: 7-3; Fouls: 6-6; Offside: 4-2; Bookings: 1-1; Red Cards: 0-0.

Cowfold: Marshall; Easton, Deane, Hatton, Mitchell-Harris; Edmonds, Brabon, Parsons, Lau; Hands, Spiers.
Subs: Smith (Mitchell-Harris 28), Dalton (Edmonds 66), Newland, Barnett, Lloyd

Roffey: Jeal; Wicking, Munday, Awcock, Wanstall; Robinson, Major; Fowler, Chowney, Dunster; Nourse.
Subs: Pett, Reeves (Dunster, Robinson 66), McGregor (Nourse 73), Barnes.

Match report by Jamie Spoor