Reds claim FA Youth Cup triumph

Trailing from the home leg, Steve Heighway's men were the better side throughout and hauled themselves level on aggregate (2-2) with their 1-0 result on the night thanks to Robbie Threlfall's 55th-minute strike.

Despite hitting the post twice, the Merseysiders were unable to force a winner but still emerged triumphant in front of new co-owner George Gillett, netting all four of their penalties, while Magnus Eikrem and skipper Sam Hewson missed for United.

It was only the second time in the prestigious tournament's 55-year history the outcome was decided by penalties.

On the previous occasion, Phil Neville skippered United to victory against Spurs but this time, with Sir Alex Ferguson watching on, the Red Devils were denied in front of a 24,347 crowd.

Liverpool never gave the impression they felt out of the contest, although the lack of a cutting edge in attack spoiled some good approach play.

United were happy to use the pace of Febian Brandy and Daniel Wellbeck on the counter-attack, both of whom failed to find the target with half-chances. It was not until the second-half the game really got going though.

Brandy wasted an excellent opportunity to tie up ultimate victory when he found himself clean through on the visitors' goal, only to roll his shot straight at David Roberts.

Liverpool responded to the let-off in positive fashion and after Ron-Robert Zieler had done well to turn Craig Lindfield's shot onto the post, Ryan Flynn belted the rebound over.

The goal the Merseysiders craved arrived not long afterwards though, with Threlfall finding the net in clinical fashion, shaking off the memory of his nightmare own goal in the first leg last week.