Cleethorpes Town secured the Sills & Betteridge Lincolnshire League title on Saturday after a thrilling 4-2 win over Skegness United at the Linden Homes Club, in a match sponsored by Grimsby Signs.

Kyle McQuigan’s stunning first half volley gave the visitors the lead but Luke Mascall equalised for the Owls in the second half.

Jordan Walden’s penalty put United back in front but a Darren Hanslip equaliser was followed by goals from Alex Flett and Jonathan Oglesby as Clee clinched top spot.

Manager Andy Liddle recalled Ricky Belding, who scored four at Wainfleet Road in the reverse fixture in February, to the starting line-up after he had served his suspension.

It was an edgy start for the home side with United settling into the game much quicker. In a show of early nerves, Scott Drury spilled a downward header but the Owls cleared before an attacker could capitalise.

But Skegness made their initial supremacy count after 18 minutes when midfielder Kyle McQuigan struck a sweet right-footed volley into the corner of Drury’s goal.

Needing to pick up three points to have any chance of claiming the title, United were taking the game to Cleethorpes.

The Owls’ first half chances were few and far between. Luke Mascall toe poked just wide from ten yards while Jordan Walden’s push on Phil Cawley in the away side’s area went unpunished just before half-time.

The half-time whistle arrived with Cleethorpes a goal down having been unable to showcase the attractive football they have become known for this season to the 280 fans in attendance.

Clee upped the tempo at the start of the second half and got their reward after 56 minutes. A drilled through ball set Mascall flying through the centre of the pitch before he nipped the ball past the goalkeeper and tapped in, sparking pandemonium in the stands.

United reacted well though and, after hitting the woodwork a minute after the Owls equalised, retook the lead from the penalty spot after 64 minutes when Jordan Walden sent Drury the wrong way.

In an attempt to get back in the game, Liddle introduced Renzie Lobendhan and Luke Neul, having already thrown on Luke Todd prior to the penalty.

The substitutes almost had the desired effect instantly, with Todd pulling a shot wide from the edge of the area before a cross-cum-shot from Neul dipped just over the crossbar.

The equaliser did arrive with just over ten minutes remaining. Daniel Barrett’s long range shot was palmed into the path of skipper Darren Hanslip who finished confidently to snatch a captain’s goal.

Only three points would be enough to lift the trophy in front of their home supporters after the game and the Owls were adamant they would not settle for a point.

Just two minutes after Hanslip’s strike, Todd laid the ball off for Alex Flett to smash in his fourth goal in four games and give Town the lead for the first time in the game.

The victory was sealed in added on time. With Skegness pushing for an equaliser, Cleethorpes sprung the counter attack. Jonathan Oglesby broke the offside trap before rounding the keeper and sliding the ball in to put Liddle’s men 4-2 up.

Frenzied celebrations followed the final whistle as Owls captain Darren Hanslip lifted the Sills & Betteridge Lincolnshire League trophy.

Cleethorpes travel to CGB Humbertherm on Tuesday, 24th April in what is their last league fixture this season.

Town will also look to collect a league and cup double when they face Grimsby Borough Reserves in the final of the Challenge Cup at Ashby Avenue in Lincoln on Saturday, 12th May.