A CONTROVERSIAL penalty will be the talking point of the Bunny Uzzell Shield final in 2011/12 for years to come after Division Five FC Parks snatched a late victory over Division Six Swiss Chalet on Sunday.

The scores were locked at 2-2 with several minutes to go at Supermarine’s Webb’s Wood Stadium and as Parks attacked, they were awarded a spot kick even though it appeared that their own player had handled it.

The ball seemed to hit the arm of Ricky Flanagan but the penalty was awarded and subsequently despatched to give Parks the win.

It was a victory that had looked highly unlikely for a large portion of the game, as Chalet held the lead until around the final 20 minutes after netting in the opening exchanges.

Chalet went ahead inside the first 10 minutes courtesy of Michael Lichota, who sent a cross-shot all the way into the net from the right side.

That was the way it stayed until the final 20 minutes, when Parks hit back with two goals of their own to take the lead.

Daniel Doole levelled matters for Chalet as he beat two players and dinked over the goalkeeper, before the controversial penalty settled matters late on.

Chalet boss Kevan Underhill was disappointed to miss out on victory and admitted that due to the circumstances in which it occurred, defeat was hard to take.

“They received a very dodgy penalty with two minute to go,” he said.

“The referee gave a handball against us when it was their player that handled it. I was talking to Ricky Flanagan after the game and he admitted he stuck his hand out.

“I think the referee knew he made a mistake after it happened but it was too late by then.

“It was a tough game and a close game, we were the better team in the first half and they were the better team in the second half.

“It was hard to swallow and we were definitely robbed.”

Both teams won three games to make it to the final with Parks beating Village Inn, Tawny Owl and Westbrook. Chalet triumphed against AFC Swindon United, Eldene and Swindon Asians.