ON a day when Arsenal and Inverness Caley were making history Peebles Rovers wrote their own little piece for the archives.

The First Division champions ended a 62 year wait to bring the Percival King Cup back to Whitestone Park.

And they completed an unforgettable league and cup double in doing so.

The occasion wasn’t lost on manager John O’Hara. He said: “It has been an amazing season and I feel very lucky to have such a good bunch of lads to work with.

“I was told about the dates when we last won the league and last won the King Cup – I know Peebles has waited a long time for this kind of success.

“I believe this is only the start. I do think we have the right people at the club both on and off the field to continue going in the right direction.

“We’ll celebrate this double and then get to work on doing even better next season.” Premier League contenders Spartans arrived at Muirhouse as favourites having dispatched of Leith Athletic by four goals in the semi-final.

Peebles were without their midfield play-making duo of Sean Connaghan and Shaun Meikle.

And O’Hara had to bring in three new players in the fortnight leading up to the final just to fill his bench.

But if there’s one team who can roll up their sleeves and battle for the win it is the First Division champions.

Although Spartans were on the front foot for the opening half hour with Davy Stewart and Lucasz Rusin both testing Darren Walker, Peebles looked dangerous on the break.

Scott Sutherland blasted a shot against keeper Blair Carswell from 20 yards and Chris Flockhart volleyed a foot over from a similar distance.

On 33 minutes Peebles took the lead from their first corner.

Jonathon Flockhart’s deep ball was sliced into his own net by former Selkirk defender Barry Milven.

Just six minutes later Flockhart delivered another dangerous corner into the area and this time his brother, Chris, went within inches of diverting it into the net at the back post.

It was clear that Spartans were suspect on corners.

Just eight minutes into the second half another deep corner was met byJim Young but his effort was blocked by the legs of Carswell.

Spartans attempted to find an equaliser by trying to play at a higher tempo – and they were almost rewarded on the hour as Ian Ballantyne raced onto a through ball only to attempt a square pass rather than hit the target.

They were punished two minutes later from yet another corner.

Flockhart’s deep ball was headed home by captain Dale Richardson.

Despite the size of the Civil Service pitch Peebles continued to close down at every opportunity in their traditional, workmanlike fashion.

And it was a frustrated Spartans side who couldn’t find a way through a resolute midfield and defence.

Frankie Arthur, who was playing his last match for Peebles, almost capped his retirement with a stunning third on 87 minutes but his 35-yard lob was tipped over the bar by Carswell.

Spartans almost pulled a goal back in the third minute of added time but Walker reacted brilliantly to push a Keith Boyes header over.

There were celebrations at the final whistle as Peebles finally got their hands on the 130-year-old King Cup yet again.

Captain Dale Richardson said: “It was a fight out there but we had the desire to win – we’ve had that desire all season.

“The team have shown all season that they have heart and we showed it again today.” Several of the Peebles squad have caught the attention of other clubs with this season’s success, but 26-year-old Richardson is staying at Whitestone Park. He added: “I’ll be a Peebles player next season. I want to keep this going.” Peebles Rovers: D Walker, J Flockhart, D McAleavy, J Young, D Richardson, F Arthur, G Rossi, C Flockhart, S Sutherland, P Murray & P Scales (D Ndiweni 75).

Spartans: B Carswell, B Raiker, C Stephenson, K Boyes, B Milven, K Hogg (A Howatt 75), D Stewart, S Clapperton, L Rusin (A Brown 66), M Cunningham & I Ballantyne.