Horsham YMCA manager John Suter paid an emotional tribute to his heroes after they won the club's first ever top flight Sussex trophy.

YM produced a champagne performance full of slick passing, pace and clinical finishing to blow away Sussex's most dominant team in recent years.

As the RUR Cup was being paraded to the crowd at Lancing by his jubilant team, Suter chose to stay out of the limelight and reflect on the club's greatest achievement in 100 years.

Suter said: "That team deserves this. They have been wonderful and to beat Burgess Hill in a cup final has me lost for words.

"We didn't just beat them, we outplayed them."

First they had to overcome a difficult opening period, but once Matt Duffield gave them a 27th-minute lead YM never looked back.

Second half goals from Nick Flint and James Bird settled it and YM even had the luxury of seeing a Phil Churchill penalty saved before half time.

Suter admitted: "I've been worried about this game and have had sleepless nights. Burgess Hill are so used to winning finals, but we matched them and were better."

The YM boss had forgotten his team's white kit and needed to borrow Lancing's reserve red strip for the game.

"I wonder if they'll let me buy it," he quipped.

Bird's goal that sealed it was somewhat ironic.

The ex-Hillians player said: "That was a very satisfying goal. All the boys were well up for it, but most of all I'm happy for the gaffer."

Hillians had looked dangerous going forward early on and Dave Stevens' runs down the right flank stretched YM.

Scott Langridge and Ashley Carr were both guilty of not getting enough power on their headers in the opening 20 minutes from the winger's inch-perfect crosses.

At the other end, YM offered little against a typically well organised Hillians defence.

A moment's hesitation between Lee Isaac and Andy Lutwyche did present Mark Francis with a great opportunity mid-way through the half, but he hit his shot wide.

But YM struck against the run of play on 27 minutes. Hillians allowed Duffield to stride in and blast a 20-yard shot which took a deflection over keeper Richard Waters.

Waters flattened Flint to give YM a chance to extend their lead from the spot but redeemed himself by saving Churchill's kick low to his right.

Flint put YM further ahead when he chipped Waters from 20 yards with 22 minutes left and any thoughts of a fightback from the Hillians were dashed five minutes later when Bird struck a low shot which bounced off the diving Waters' shin and in.

Within seconds YMCA's ribbons were being tied to the cup which last night was probably taking pride of place in Suter's bedroom.