Paul Hughes' second XI came up short in their bid for a second cup final as hosts Harrow Borough hit two second half goals to send United to defeat.

United started well at Earlsmead and after just three minutes David Pitt played the ball left to Alex Duffy who made his way past three challenges before trying his luck from the edge of the box, just missing the target.

Wesley Samuel had a long range effort just wide for the hosts shortly after but we then had to wait for the 28th minute for the next chances to start to arrive. Aaron Watson headed on to Daniel Wishart who saw his shot on the turn held by Borough keeper Andray Baptiste and then almost immediately play switched. Borough left-back Prince Toku played a superb forward ball across field to Warren Whitely who pulled the ball down and hit a shot that looked destined for the net but for an excellent one handed save from Chris Baker in the United goal.

A couple of minutes later Baker almost turned from saviour to creator as his long punt saw Pitt beat the offside to advance on goal but Baptiste was equal to his effort. This chance was closely followed by another for the visitors as Nathan Webb and Watson combined to work an opening for Wishart but his curling effort just missed the top corner of Baptiste's goal.

Both sides made changes at the break but it was the arrival of Kurt Morlese that was to prove a masterstroke early on as just four minutes had passed when Duffy was working across his own box to clear only to strike the ball against the shin on the in-coming Borough substitute and the ball rolled straight past Baker to give the home side the lead.

Five minutes later United had a golden chance to level matters when Pitt was tripped inside the area by Baptiste and referee Taverner pointed to the spot. Pitt himself took the kick but Baptiste blocked his initial effort and was then quickly to his feet to block away the rebound for a corner.

Baptiste was again in action a couple of minutes later when Pitt fed the ball to Josh Andrew but his shot on the turn was not good enough to overly trouble the Borough stopper.

The home side doubled their advantage on 69 minutes when a cross from the left side was acrobatically volleyed home by Clayton Dixon arriving at the far post giving Baker no chance.

The only other reportable item was the stoppage time dismissal of Borough scorer Morlese who having been booked for dissent didn't even give the referee time to put his card away before being shown it for the second time and the obligatory red followed.

Report by Kevin Watts. Photos by Ray Peploe.

United Man of the Match: Sean Roberts.