ECPL LEAGUE CUP FINAL Saltash United 1 Probus 2 'Probus just about shaved it,' said a disappointed Ashes boss Tony Richardson after his young Saltash side lost narrowly at Sticker. It wasn't for the lack of trying though, as the final 10 minutes saw the Ashes pull a goal back but just fail to take the game into extra time. There was little to show for either side's efforts in the first half in front of a good-sized crowd, although Probus looked the more dominant, especially in midfield. 'They closed us down at every opportunity and just wouldn't let us play,' added Richardson. The Probus game plan worked well, as they chased and harried the Saltash midfield quartet out of their normal free-flowing rhythm. Steve Rowson gave Probus the lead four minutes into the second half when he drifted between two defenders to plant a free header over teenage keeper Mike Fowler. Twelve minutes before the final whistle Probus grabbed what proved to be the winner when Liam Cope struck an opportunist goal as the Saltash defence appealed in vain for offside. Richardson had by now thrown caution to the wind by pushing veteran defender Malcolm Wills up front. Saltash suddenly came to life, Wills hit a volley wide and Gareth Jones saw a goal-bound header hit team-mate Jake Benney. Saltash eventually reduced the arrears when Danny Murdock glanced a fine header into the far corner of the net from a Dennis Mason free kick. With time running out, Wills headed wide and then had a shot cleared off the line, but it was the veteran's delicate header over the keeper from a long through ball that had players and spectators from both sides holding their breath as they watched the ball go inches wide of the post.