Ten-man Warminster Town suffered cup final heartbreak on Wednesday evening when an extra-time strike ended their Wiltshire Senior Cup dreams in a 2-1 defeat.

Forward Matty Guy missed a spot-kick for his side in normal time against Highworth but with both sides visibly wilting beneath the lights the game seemed destined for a penalty shoot-out.

However, the contest was turned on its head in the second period of extra time when full-back Mark Breffitt was dismissed for a second yellow card for a tired lunge.

Minutes later a fine save from keeper Jamie McGuickan fell into the space deserted by the defender and allowed Matt Bennett to score the goal which broke Warminster’s hearts.

“I’m absolutely gutted but just proud of the boys really,” said player-boss Jason Guy, whose side last won the competition in 1911.

“I never expected when I took over to end up at this sort of occasion and it’s a credit to them.

“They’ve worked hard all year and unfortunately we didn’t win it. But we gave a good account of ourselves, have knocked out big teams and deserved to get there.

“Obviously everyone is going to be completely gutted but we’ll come back next season and I don’t think it will be the last time we’re in the final. I think we can come back and win it, definitely.”

Wessex League First Division side Warminster upset the odds on their path to the final by eliminating teams such as Calne Town from the Toolstation Premier, who will contest the Les Phillips Cup final next month.

Despite being underdogs before the game against the Hellenic Premier’s Highworth, they started brightly and enjoyed the best of the contest in the first half.

The impressive Tom Welch put them in front on 39 minute with a stunning long-range strike into the roof of the net after a flowing counter attack move.

The lead did not last long and their opponents equalised soon after half-time through Alex Rudd after a defensive error.

The game’s defining moment came on the hour mark when Welch was brought down in the area but Matty Guy’s spot-kick was turned away by Ian Gill.

Neither side could break the other’s resistance again until five minutes from the end of extra time when Bennett was in the right spot to win his side the cup.

“It’s one of those things, he doesn’t miss many but that’s football,” said Jason Guy of his brother’s penalty miss.

“Even the best players miss them. It was his normal penalty but the keeper has gone the right way and pulled off a very good save.

“Everyone across the park gave 120 per cent and was dead on their feet so we are due a beer. Well done to their boys, though, they worked hard so all credit to them.”