Craig Andre was at his predatory best as New Gardeners needed extra time to sink the surprise package of this year's LFA Sunday Trophy.

For the striker, in his first season with the club, hit a fine hat-trick to finally see off the challenge of McDonald's Property.

The Blackpool and Fylde Sunday Alliance outfit, unbeaten this season, gave New Gardeners the fright of their lives before running out of steam in extra time.

McDondald's got off to a flying start when Paul Hicham fired home Andy Hill's low cross with just eight minutes on the clock.

However, they could have been a goal down after 30 seconds when Baz Lettherd mis-kicked with just the keeper to beat.

New Gardeners were without injured wide men Danny Kirby and Glenn Ainsworth while the usually influential Paddy Lauber was off his game.

Thankfully for the Darwen side, Craig Shorrock wasn't at the midfield man was in outstanding form throughout the 120 minutes.

Leading scorer Liam Taylor was another who was bang on form and his direct approach worried the McDonald's defence. And both went close to pulling New Gardeners level before the two combined to finally muster an equaliser.

First, Shorrocks showed his appetite for the game when he won the ball in midfield and unleashed a shot the flew just wide. Nev O'Kane and David Orrell then combined to set-up Taylor who forced Steven Morrell in to a fine finger tip save.

Lauber, who had a quiet start by his standards, had a chance to make amends after Michael Veitch was adjudged to have handled Orrell's cross.

But despite beating Morrell from the spot, Lauber's penalty crashed against the post and away to safety.

New Gardeners continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and it dually arrived on the half hour.

Matt Taylor launched a long throw in to the box which cousin Liam got a touch on and Shorrocks swept the ball home from close range. New Gardeners should have used the goal as a platform to build upon but instead it triggered a 10 minute spell from the visitors either side of half time that led to a second goal.

Just before the break, Nick Preece had Adam Brindle scrambling across his goal with a hook shot before the same player forced Brindle in to a brilliant save from his point blank volley.

The Blackpool side continued to push forward after the break and Hill should have done better with a free header before it was third time lucky for Preece who fired home from close range.

New Gardeners were again forced to go back to the drawing board as they looked for another leveller but they came up against Morrell who was in inspirational form.

He denied Taylor, Lettherd and Andre before Andre eventually made it 2-2 after applying the finishing touch after good work from Taylor and Orrell.

Andre nearly won it at the death for New Gardeners but his firm header bounced down and over the bar. But he did score a minute in to extra time when his cool finish ended a flowing move involving Lauber, O'Kane and Lettherd.

New Gardeners were now in control and Morrell denied Taylor again and then produced an even better save to keep out a firm effort from substiute Dave Berry before Andre completed his hat-trick with a neat turn and shot.

Taylor finally got the goal his hard work deserved when he raced on to Matt Taylor's quick throw, burst past Veitch wide on the left and cut in to beat Morrell at his near post with a rising drive.

In the end, it was a well-earned victory but McDonald's certainly made New Gardeners work hard for their win.