Whitehawk 1, Chichester 2.

Whitehawk boss Ian Chapman made a hasty exit as his side left him still searching for his first trophy in charge last night.

Chichester upset the County League leaders to lift the Sussex RUR Cup for the first time since 1969.

Michael Turvey put Chi in front. Craig Bunch equalised before Steve Boston hit the winner to launch the Chichester celebrations.

But Chapman, normally so affable, was left fuming and disappointed with his side's performance as they lost out in another cup final.

Skipper Ross Standen said: "The boss told us that we had let ourselves down in a big game. We desperately wanted to win it for him but we never really got started.

"What we must now do is pick ourselves up and make sure we go and win the title."

Chi boss Mick Catlin, who won the trophy with Worthing in 1989, said: "It feels very good but at 1-1 I feared the worst. They are not at the top of the league for nothing.

"But we've got a good young side and I hope we can keep them together and be playing Ryman League football in a couple of years."

Hawks boss Chapman was desperate for his side to lift their first piece of silverware in his six years as manager.

Warren Buss seemed to sense just how much his boss wanted it. He was a tower of strength breaking up the play with strong tackles and firm headers.

Hawks looked solid enough at the back apart from a heart-stopping moment on 15 minutes when Boston's low cross almost reached Jake Lafferty before a great interception from Danny Bird thwarted the danger.

While they tried to play the ball around, there was little cutting edge up front for Hawks.

The industrious and inventive Gareth Green tried his best but he and partner Ryan McBride struggled against impressive Chichester back three, which included Lee Mullen and Paul Jones, who missed their side's 3-1 County League defeat to Hawks on Saturday.

The spikey Neil Murfin added bite in the middle of the pitch for Chi on his return from injury but referee Paul John lost patience after a series of fouls and a bit of back-chat which resulted in the midfielder being booked on 27 minutes.

The match meandered at the start of the second half, desperately needing something to spark it into life.

It was expected, given their lofty league position, that Hawks would provide the ammunition but Chi suddenly produced the moment to cause the match to set fire. A cross from Russell Hardwell had goalkeeper Standen trying to fist the ball away.

But he only succeeded in presenting to Chi wing back Turvey who curled the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the area on 63 minutes.

Hawks, keeping patient, got themselves back into contention in the 79th minute. Lee Newman provided the ball for Tommy Pattenden to cross to the far post where substitute Bunch headed them level.

It was then you thought the pre-match favourites would go on to secure the trophy but within three minutes Chi had scored their match winner.

With Hawks appealing for offside, Scott Murfin threaded the ball through for the impressive Boston to fire low beyond Standen.

Whitehawk: Standen; Bird, Hill (sub Bunch 72), Buss (sub Gunn 65), Beech, Phillips, Newman, Green, McBride (sub Carr 77), Martin, Pattenden. Subs not used: Allen, Millis.

Chichester: Ender; Buckland, Turvey, Mullen, Jones, N. Murfin, Hardwell (sub Smith 90), Ward, Boston, Lafferty (sub Moore 88), S. Murfin. Subs not used: Foster, Miah, Brockway.

Referee: Mr P John.

Player-of-the-match: Steve Boston (Chichester).

Attendance: 186.