Newport County lifted the Gwent Senior Cup last night after narrowly defeating Newport YMCA 1-0 at Caldicot Town.

But they had 18-year-old goalkeeper Andrew Delve to thank as the youngster defied YM with a string of top-class saves.

YM boss Mark Coldrick paid tribute to his players, who arguably were the better side. He said: "It says a lot when the man of the match is the opposition goalkeeper. Andrew Delve made about five or six unbelievable saves.

"But I can't fault the lads. They matched County in every area on the pitch, but we just could not get past their 'keeper.

"It has been disappointing for the lads after missing out on promotion on Saturday and then losing a final but we have had a good season and we will bounce back next season stronger and better."

Newport County manager Peter Nicholas also paid tribute to YM. He said: "They battled hard and played well, we knew they would. But we did enough and after a long, hard season, it is always nice to finish with a trophy."

County, who were virtually at full strength, had the better of the early exchanges but they almost fell behind when forward Lewis Sommers flashed a fierce shot inches wide.

But on 25 minutes County took the lead when Sam Bowen rose to head home a Gary Lloyd cross.

Many expected the Exiles to go on and add to their lead but it was YM who began to dominate.

John Pardue and Phil Tranter saw powerful drives repelled by Delve and Gareth Lynch rose unmarked to head wide but County held on until half-time.

Then there were two disallowed YM efforts, one for handball and another for offside. Shaun Pearce saw a header saved and Tranter had a shot touched over the bar, then another parried wide by the on-form Delve.

As YM tired County's Matthew Prosser and Sam O'Sullivan went close with headers but in the final minute Sommers had a chance to level but again Delve was equal to it. The cup was County's but the plaudits belonged to YM.

Newport County: A Delve, T Evans, G Lloyd, N Davies, J Eckhardt, D Jones, S Williams (S O'Sullivan 55), A Williams, S Bowen (M Prosser 79), J Phillips, G Phillips. Subs (not used): N Manley, T Hooper. Newport YMCA: G Cotterill, S Edwards (M Pimm 55), L Walsh, D Porretta, G James, G Lynch, J Pardue, D Beckett (C Jeavons 88), L Sommers, A Stewart (S Pearce 60), P Tranter. Sub )not used): B Lynch. Referee: P.A. Lewis.