Peter Murphy grabbed the only goal for Carlisle United as they saw off Brentford to lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley.
New Dad Murphy, with his two-day-old son and proud new mum Lisa among the 40,000 in attendance, thumped in a first half winner on 12 minutes to help Carlisle avenge last years 4-1 final defeat against Southampton.
Brentford’s young goalkeeper Simon Moore, starting only his fourth senior match, was quickly in the thick of the action as he made a fine save to thwart Francois Zoko’s goal bound header, but he was helpless to prevent the Cumbrian’s taking the lead from the resulting corner.
Zoko went up to challenge for James Berrett’s cross but the ball fell to Murphy eight yards out and he sent it crashing into the net past Moore after controlling it with his knee.
Brentford, cheered on by a large following of nearly 20,000, tried to find a way back straight away and Sam Saunders came close to equalising when he curled a 25 yard free-kick inches wide.
Carlisle were soon dealt a blow midway through the first half when midfielder Ben Marshall left the field on a stretcher with ankle ligament damage after a Adam Reed foul.
As the half drew to a close, Saunders fired another shot wide but the Bees were distinctly below par.
At half time, Brentford boss Nicky Forster, who has been in charge for only two months, threw on substitute Marcus Bean and his side improved massively after the break.
Karleigh Osborne was inches away from a dangerous Saunders cross as the Bees pressed forward and then striker Jeffrey Schlupp glided past central defender Lubomir Michalik to strike a low, angled shot that unluckily bounced back off the near post.
As the game reached the closing minutes, Brentford’s Toumani Diagouraga, who had been booked moments earlier, scythed down Tom Taiwo and was shown a second yellow card and was sent off. Desperate Brentford still pressed, and Leon Legge put a header wide in stoppage time, but after five long minutes for Greg Abbot and his Carlisle team, the final whistle blew and the celebrations could begin.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Moore; Neilson, Legge, Osborne, Woodman (O'Connor 89); Saunders, Reed (Bean 46), Diagouraga, Weston (Grabban 78); Alexander, SchluppSubstitutes not used Byrne, Carson
Carlisle United (4-1-3-2)
Collin; Simek, Michalik, Murphy, Robson; Thirlwell; Taiwo (88), Marshall (Noble 23), Berrett; Curran, Zoko (Madden 68)Substitutes not used Livesey, Caig.
Referee
Mr G Salisbury (Lancashire)