Given the history of the two clubs, it was surprising to note that this was the first time in the history of this competition (played since 1888-89) that they had actually met in the final.

The Whites looked to hold the edge at the break, thanks to a blistering free-kick from defender Paul Muir, his 25 yard shot beating John Connolly and smashing down into the goal of the underside of the cross-bar.

It was an keenly contested half, George McMullan was yellow-carded on 13 minutes after a crunching challenge on Andy Kilmartin. Four minutes later, a neat interchange of passes on the line saw Conor Hagan put a low cross in only for the ball to be cut out by a defender at the near post.

Verner fired wide, before Neil Alderdice was on the wrong end of a late challenge that was missed by the officials as play switched to the Whites' end of the pitch - he continued after treatment.

Cliftonville's attacks didn't test Phil Matthews although outside of that stunning Muir strike (37 minutes), Connolly wasn't forced ino a significant save either.

Cliftonville came out a different side in the second half and just five minutes in they were level. Wayne Buchanan tangled with Ronan Scannell and Mark Holland fired the free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner of the goal. It was a bad time and a bad goal to concede and Cliftonville upped the tempo.We then had a rare Lisburn Distillery attack, Kilmartin's cross being headed over by Hagan who dived full length at the back post to connect.

It was a difficult chance but after that the Reds began to dominate - Vincent Sweeny saw his goalbound shot deflected wide, Matthews made a good save to keep out McAlinden's header before what would prove the winner on 67 minutes. George McMullan went down under a challenge from Hagan, and although Matthews guessed right, he couldn't quite get to Holland's spot kick and the game was effectively over.

Hagan was substituted on 72 minutes, clearly unhappy he threw his shirt down as he stormed up the tunnel, and when Kilmartin's late shot went over, the game was over. Disappointment for the players and the sizeable Whites support who turned out on the night but Cliftonville's second half performance made all the difference and there were few complaints about the outcome.

Now it's up to the side to move on, league leaders Glentoran are the visitors this coming Saturday.