In the end UniBond League Eastwood Town simply held too many aces and were undoubtedly the better side. But Ollerton should reflect that at no time in the 90 minutes was it evident that there is a five-division gulf between the two clubs – the equivalent of that between the Premiership and Blue Square Premier.

The tie was settled by two goals in five minutes around the mid-point of the first half, both put away by Matt Rhead.

For the Badgers not to have completed their third successive Senior Cup final triumph would have been a major shock. Ollerton chairman John Thompson had asked only that his team should do the club and the town proud. And, despite the defeat, he was rightly bursting with pride at the final whistle.

It has been a remarkable season for Ollerton, who have won their first league title since 1996 when they were Notts Alliance champions. They have also built up a fearsome reputation as cup giant killers, seeing off four higher grade teams on their way to the Meadow Lane final – the club's first in 70 years.

Next season Town will be playing their football in the Supreme Division, and will be a very hard side to beat. But before that they have one game left on Tuesday night at Sutton Town when, with nothing at stake for them, they can relax and enjoy the party.

Manager Don Gethfield reflected afterwards: "The occasion got to us a little bit in the first 20 minutes and we showed Eastwood a bit too much respect. But after that we began to compete, especially in the second half.

"It was a great experience for the lads, and especially some of the younger players, and it will help to make them stronger for the bigger challenge which faces us next season.

"I'm still pleased, and very proud. It's been a fantastic day out for everyone involved in the club in any way – players, supporters, officials, and helpers. I would like to mention in particular David Kent, Andy Thompson and Adge Owen who have been marvellous on the management side."

Five coachloads of Ollerton supporters and countless more carloads made their way down the A614, and their support matched that of their more exalted opponents.

Eastwood had reached the UniBond Premier Play-offs for promotion to Blue Square North, but in their last game before the Senior Cup final they had been thumped 4-0 at Gateshead in the Play-off semi-final.

They were determined to bounce back and put a trophy on the Coronation Park shelf, and they began brightly, with Rhead getting nothing behind a close shot on the turn in only the second minute.

Two minutes later the Badgers broke from an Ollerton corner. Clipstone lad Ricky Hanson rounded Rob Evans, and Shaun Morris did very well to block the finish with his legs.

Morris had been called into the team in place of the unlucky Neil McLafferty. Manager Gethfield explained: "He's not been available very much this season because of work and family commitments, but he's helped us out a few times and his experience is invaluable in games like this." Indeed Morris was named the official man of the match, voted for by the match officials.

The Chad nomination, though, went to Chris Baugh, of whom Gethfield added; "He was superb at the back and marked his man really well."

Baugh stuck out a leg to deny Danny Brookes in the 17th minute, but a minute later the Badgers took the lead. Chris Shaw fed Hanson on the right and somehow picked up an injury in the process, Hanson centred, and Rhead was on hand to steer it in from close range.

Five more minutes on Rhead struck again, and the Ollerton fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. The striker looked arguably offside as he was picked out in the left of the area, but the flag stayed down and his shot passed through Morris' legs as the keeper tried in vain to spread himself for the save.

At that stage Ollerton could not really complain at being two down, but they picked themselves up and began to compete, albeit without really extending Badgers keeper Ian Deakin.

Baugh made another top drawer challenge on the busy Lindon Meikle, and when Morris had to stretch to parry away Iain Screaton's free kick in a busy area Meikle drove the follow-up wide.

Ashley Grayson was becoming more prominent in Ollerton attacks, and he had a half-chance in the 39th minute from a free kick, which he aimed wide. And when Grayson's persistence won a corner Deakin dealt well with Tony Buchanan's kick.

However, the Walesby Lane club were indebted to Liam Mason three minutes before the break when he got in the way of Paul Mitchell's finish, after the Eastwood midfielder had shown silky close control to open up the chance and looked certain to score.

A minute into the restart Deakin was extended seriously for the first time, smothering the ball at the feet of Dean Hankey and the keeper then just beat Grayson in a race for possession when Hankey headed on Gary Panting's free kick.

But Morris was back in action in the 63rd minute. He failed to cut out Hanson's cross which went deep, and when it was knocked back in to Brookes the keeper recovered to make a superb point blank save.

Both sides rang the changes, and the game petered out somewhat in the final quarter. But Baugh timed another challenge to perfection as Anthony Howells threatened to go clear in the closing stages.

And Panting had to be helped off after picking up a knock right at the end of the 90 minutes, leaving Ollerton to play out injury time with 10 men.

EASTWOOD: Deakin, Hanson, Shaw, Cooper, Screaton, Mathews, Breach, Mitchell, Rhead (Smith 67), L. Meikle (Howells 67), Brookes. Subs not used: D. Meikle, Stevenson, Swinscoe.
OLLERTON: Morris, Baugh, Evans (Beard 77), Panting, Mason, J. Allan, Buchanan (Booth 67), R. Allan, Wilson, Hankey, Grayson (Stanton 85). Subs not used: North, McLafferty.
REFEREE: Mark Jones of Retford.
ATTENDANCE: 674.
GOALS: Eastwood – Rhead 18, 23.
CAUTION: Ollerton – Grayson 76 (foul on Cooper).
OFFICIAL MAN OF THE MATCH: Shaun Morris (Ollerton).
CHAD OLLERTON MAN OF THE MATCH: Chris Baugh.