John O'Groats looked well on course to claiming their second trophy of the campaign when sub Sean Henstridge headed them 2-1 in front with just seven minutes left.

But the Dunnet men levelled within a minute through Jimmy Budge, and the same player conjured up a marvellous solo effort to clinch a dramatic victory.

A crowd of around 250 turned out on a dry but breezy evening for the final at Castletown, on a pitch which is indisputably the best in the Far North.

The spectators were short-changed by a first half that proved largely sterile. Neither side dominated the match, which drew down the curtain on this year's county season.

A Willie Inrig free kick on eight minutes induced panic stations in the JOG defence, which was relieved by the concession of a corner.

The first attack of any note at the other end came on 18 minutes when Stuart Sinclair (the elder) and Martin Sinclair carved out an opening for Luke Cassidy.

The former United striker was forced into an improvised shot which was too straight to trouble keeper Michael Gray.

David Mowat was a bustling presence for JOG in midfield in the early stages, and one of the few players to impress.

On 25 minutes, Mowat's cushioned header from Alan Davis's assist had Gray scampering out to gather on the edge of his box and thwart the in-rushing Martin Sinclair.

Three minutes later, a foraging run and cross from Tony Farquhar presented strike partner Budge with a decent chance which the Lybster man dragged wide.

United upped the tempo and after 33 minutes were narrowly denied the lead when Budge's cute head-flick from Gary Bell's centre came back off the intersection of the crossbar and the right upright.

The quality of football improved after the interval to help compensate the spectators for a decided drop in the temperature. Martin Sinclair saw a dipping effort just clear the bar before his side fell behind on 51 minutes.

United have had plenty of joy from set pieces during this campaign, and on this occasion Farquhar's power header from Bell's corner blurred past JOG stand-in keeper Alan Bokas.

But United were to enjoy their lead for just two minutes. Kevin Swanson's powerful surge down the left flank resulted in his low cross being swept home by Cassidy from just inside the six-yard box.

The first booking came a minute later when Stuart Sinclair (the elder) was carded for persistent offending.

There was little to choose between the sides before the late goal run, though JOG had manufactured the better chances.

Cassidy had a snap-shot fielded by Gray on 59 minutes. Six minutes later, Swanson's deep free kick picked out Stuart Sinclair's (the elder) late run.

The angle was tight but the midfielder should have been able to find the target with his diving header.

The Pentland United team and officials celebrate their win over John O'Groats. James Gunn Photography

Martin Sinclair then saw an acrobatic effort tipped over by Gray, while sub Henstridge was inches away from getting a potentially goal-scoring touch to Cassidy's low cross.

In between these attempts, Farquhar was just off-target with his connection from Inrig's free kick.

The game looked to be heading for extra time when JOG took the lead – Henstridge stooped to head past Gray after 83 minutes.

But parity was restored a minute later thanks to some shoddy defending of a United corner.

James Murray's delivery should have been claimed by Bokas but he failed to gather and Budge profited with a looping header which found the net.

Two minutes later the roof caved in on JOG after an individual piece of magic from Budge. Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, the striker was shadowed by three defenders and had no obvious outlet.

He stepped past them all before steadying himself at the edge of the penalty box and firing a superb right-foot shot wide of the flailing Bokas.

United midfielder Lee Sutherland was cautioned for holding back Mowat a minute from time, while Henstridge was booked in injury time for dissent. They added to other yellow cards shown earlier to Inrig and JOG's Neil Fearns.

After the whistle Inrig collected the shield, the 11th time United have won it in its 22-year history. It adds to the county first division title and the record sixth MacLeod IFA Highland Cup already captured by Duncan Gray's men this season.

JOG were left to be content with their maiden success – the Eain Mackintosh Cup.

Their 2-1 win in the final prevented United from completing a clean sweep of honours.

JOG: Bokas, Ross, Tait, Stuart W. Sinclair, Stuart D. Sinclair (Henstridge 74), Davis, K. Swanson, Mowat, Cassidy, M. Sinclair, Fearns. Unused subs: J. Swanson, Munro, Banks and Mackay.

Pentland United: Gray, G. Mackay, Bell, Skinner, Steven, D. Mackay, Murray, Inrig, Farquhar, Budge, Sutherland. Unused subs: MacKenzie, Semple and Morris.

Referee: Mr B. Gunn.

* Pentland United have added to their trophy haul after being presented with the Calcott Innes Memorial Cup for having the best on-field disciplinary record in the first division.

The second division award was shared between Thurso Pentland and Francis Street Club. This year's player-of-the year and winner of the newly-presented Murray Mackay Trophy goes to United midfielder Grant Budge.

The Barney Robertson Trophy for the young player of the year was presented jointly to United defender Grant Steven and Halkirk striker Paul Mackay.

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