Colin Hendry has been involved in many a key battle in a long and illustrious career but even he admitted the Blackburn Sunday League showdown was a bit of an eye-opener.

The 52-year-old went toe-to-toe with Manchester United in Blackburn Rovers’ title-winning season, took on Celtic during his Rangers days and helped Bolton Wanderers beat rivals Preston North End in a play-off final - not to mention a European Championship clash for Scotland against England and taking on Brazil in World Cup ‘98.

But playing for third-placed Moorgate against reigning champions Crown Paints, one place ahead, was not for the faint hearted.

“It was definitely different to what I have been used to,” said Hendry playing his second game for Daz Hartley’s side. “It was played at a fair old pace with tackles flying in and it threatened to boil over a few times. But I did enjoy it.”

Hendry, as expected, was commanding in the air and composed on the ball but he admitted he came off second best against Ryan Steele - although he said age was a key factor.

“You have to remember, I am a lot older than these players, I’m no longer in my twenties,” said Hendry.

“These lads are younger, fitting and more agile than me. I tried to use a few tricks of the trade, a block here and little pull back there but they didn’t always work.

“I was impressed with their lad Steele, he had a very good balance about him, plenty of pace and he knew where the goal was.”

Crown emerged triumphant in the ill-tempered affair as they held off a second half fight back from Moorgate to seal a 3-2 victory.

Moorgate took the lead midway through the first half when Liam Hoyle’s persistence paid off when he held off two markers to score from the edge of the area.

They continued to push forward in search of a second but, in doing so, were caught on the break when Jamie Edwards crossed for Steele to side foot home from inside the area.

Crown then took the lead via a controversial penalty which Steele stepped up to send Grant the wrong way.

Tempers began to flare and Steele clashed with Moorgate captain James Leech - with Hendry stepping in to act as peace maker.

Leech then nearly brought the sides level when he unleashed a 25-yard free kick that just cleared the crossbar. But Crown extended their lead before the break when Steele bounced off a Hendry tackle and curled his effort beyond Grant.

In the second half, Moorgate upped the tempo and Nick Hepple was denied by a superb save from Carl Brown before Matt Dickson headed wide.

But Hepple finally pulled one back when he burst clear to fire beyond Brown. The striker should have then pulled the sides level when he raced past Brown but with the goal at his mercy he allowed Tom Egan to clear off the goalline. Tempers continued to flare and Crown’s Scott Patterson was dismissed for allegedly swearing at the referee - a red card that appeared to be later rescinded due to the fact he said he aimed it at a teammate.

Despite the man advantage and Hendry turning back the clock and joining the attack - where he began his Rovers career - Crown Paints held on for a bruising victory.

Hendy said he has been impressed by the standard of football he has seen in the league and believed his Moorgate side were good enough to win some silverware.

“The standard of play from both sets of players was very good,” he said. “I was impressed at the speed the game was played.

“I was told Crown were champions and you could see why. But Daz has put a good side together and they are definitely good enough to win the cup.”