THE villain of one cup final turned out to be the hero of the next as Accrington Stanley celebrated a double cup triumph.

Captain Peter Cavanagh was dismissed in last Wednesday's Lancashire Marsden FA Cup victory over Barrow and, although he lifted the cup, his celebrations were muted.

But the former Liverpool trainee became the darling of the Crown Ground as Stanley overcame a 1-0 first leg deficit and Cavanagh held his nerve to score the decisive spot kick in last night's UniBond League Challenge Cup victory over Bradford Park Avenue.

"At least I felt I was justified in picking up this cup this time!" said the elated skipper, who collected his second piece of silverware in front of a 1,107 crowd at the Crown Ground.

"I was a little nervous when I saw that their penalty had gone in but once I started walking up to take it I felt confident.

"When it went in, it was fantastic, especially with the home crowd.

"If would be great if the majority of those would come back next season.

"We are a young team with a good team spirit and hopefully we will be up there challenging for the Conference next season."

Another hero on the night was goalkeeper Jamie Speare. The shot-stopper had been dismissed in the first leg along with stand-in goalkeeper Barrie Hart and both had missed the Lancashire Marsden Cup win at Morecambe last Wednesday.

But he more than enjoyed being one of the heroes of last night as he saved Paul Wharton's third spot-kick while Stanley held their nerve to convert all five.

"It was a great night," said the former Everton trainee. "I enjoyed it from beginning to end - from the build up as we came to the ground to singing in the dressing room afterwards!

"I have only ever won one thing before - when we were promoted from the UniBond First Division a couple of seasons ago - so it is fantastic to win a cup final, especially as I missed out last week.

"And winning two cup finals will be a huge boost for next season. We have a great team here, with a lot of young lads and watch out for us next season!"

The crowd were hoping for a goalfest as Stanley welcomed back striker Lutel James while Bradford had their wing bad boy Dean Calcutt back - both had been suspended for the first leg in Yorkshire.

And, despite the home advantage, Avenue were the favourites especially as Stanley have been stuttering in the league of late while Bradford have been on a roll.

The early exchanges were dominated by a flurry of yellow cards but Stanley did have a lucky escape in the ninth minute.

Bradford striker Jason Maxwell raced through and Robbie Williams was judged to have brought him tumbling down on the edge of the area. It was like a case of deja vue for the Stanley fans who waited with bated breath to see if they would have their fourth dismissal in a final.

But Williams was shown a yellow card and a free kick was given on the edge of the area - and wasted.

"It was a definite penalty," moaned the Bradford players after the match. "It was in the area."

It was then Stanley's turn to have a great chance of relieving some of the frayed nerves on 18 minutes when a Paul Burns corner found the head of towering defender Jonathan Smith who thumped his effort goalwards.

As the Stanley fans were rising from their seats to celebrate, Martin James appeared from nowhere to head his effort off the line.

Paul Mullin had another good chance on 32 minutes for the Reds after a clever flick on by James but he shot straight at keeper Rob Montgomery while Andy Proctor's effort was inches wide.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Bradford felt they were robbed again when they said Smith had pulled back Andy Hayward - but again any appeals were waved away.

Stanley pressed after the interval and finally eased some of the mounting pressure when they made the breakthrough they needed on 62 minutes.

The hard-working Simon Carden played in a superb ball from the right wing which Mullin headed home - his 33rd goal of the season and the first time Bradford's defence had been breached in 10-and-a-half hours.

"It was a fantastic goal, a brilliant header," enthused boss John Coleman who then introduced record £30,000 signing Gary Williams as Stanley went all out for the win.

He never stopped running and kept the pressure on the visitors with Carden almost finding the all-important second on 80 minutes but his fierce shot was fumbled by Montgomery and was then cleared.

But the Reds did have lady luck on their side. In the final minutes a Phil Lindlay cross was headed against the upright by Micky Thompson and Maxwell broke free in the dying minutes but a late tackle did enough to put him off.

And so to extra-time where Stanley had three good chances to snatch it.

Carden made a fantastic run on 100 minutes, and sent a ball in to Mullin at the near post. He flicked the ball to the waiting Gary Williams in the area but the striker skied it with the goal gaping.

He almost made amends on 111 minutes, when his rasping shot was pushed away by Montgomery. Then, one minute later, a Smith flick-on sent Carden through, Montgomery raced out and as the two tangled the ball fell to the grounded James six yards out. But he too couldn't find the target with the goal at his mercy - and so to penalties.

Bradford kicked off and made it 1-0 with Flitcroft calmly making it 1-1. Youngster Proctor held his nerve to make it 2-2 and then Speare was the hero denying Wharton down the middle. The pressure was on Bradford then as Gary Williams and James converted their spot-kicks although to their credit Avenue took it to the last kick.

Up stepped Cavanagh to fire it home and he made sure he would celebrate properly this time.

THE win means Stanley will face League champions Burton Albion at Burton on Bank Holiday Monday in the Peter Swales UniBond Challenge Shield. Kick off is 3pm.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...1

BRADFORD PA...0

(1-1 on aggregate, Stanley won 5-4 on penalties)