DEAN Bunting provided his Hanover manager and club colleagues with a special Easter treat on Tuesday at Lakeview Park.

Bunting popped up to drill home Hanover's second strike of the afternoon in Loughgall and secure a 2-1 success over Dollingstown - a first knockout success in club management for boss, Neil McCullough.

The midweek meeting offered Hanover a final opportunity for silverware this season as McCullough attempted to steer a side to cup glory for the first time following three previous disappointments.

However, Dollingstown destroyed Hanover's hopes of a bright start by taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes with a close-range finish following a left-wing delivery into the danger area.

REGROUPED

Hanover regrouped and managed to level the tie on the half-hour mark thanks to Dean Walker's deft left-foot volley to return an attempted fisted clearance by the Dollingstown goalkeeper.

Sights of goal arrived for Barry Harrison, Bunting and Ian Hamilton over the opening exchanges of the second half as Hanover grabbed control of the match.

This persistence produced a winning goal on 75 minutes when Johnny O'Neill picked out Glenn Moffett and he released Hamilton, with the experienced midfielder's measured pass into the path of Bunting subsequently smashed home on the run.

"I am over-the-moon and now that first one is out of the way as manager I hope to pick up a few more in the future," said McCullough. "I am also delighted for the club as a whole, in particular, the players and fans.

"It required a great team performance but special mention must go to Steven Woods and the fans voted Nigel McCartney and Ian Hamilton as the joint winners of the 'man-of-the-match' honour.

"David Crawford did not have a save to make in the second half so that tells a story and we were certainly well on top in terms of possession.

"We had to pull it together after struggling to settle over the first half.

"Dean Walker was only rated as 50-50 going into the game due to injury problems but he certainly made the most of his chance.

"Dean Bunting has been a big-game player for Hanover in the past and provided another example of his value to the club on Tuesday.

"He certainly came up trumps on the special occasion.

"That marks one win from two cup finals, plus a league championship, in three seasons."

HANOVER:David Crawford, Johnny O'Neill, Jason Woods, Steven Woods, Nigel McCartney, Barry Harrison, Colin Brown, Ian Hamilton, Dean Bunting, Johnny Walker, Dean Walker. Subs:Mark Irwin, Glenn Moffett, John Whitten.