Glentoran’s hopes of landing the BetMcLean Cup ended in disappointment as Chris McKee converted a 117th minute penalty to win the trophy for Linfield.

The Glens arguably carved out the better chances in a tense 90 minutes in front of 12,297 fans at the Clearer Twist National Stadium.

Chances were few and far between in extra-time before McKee won and converted the decisive spot kick with three minutes to go.

Declan Devine made four changes to the side which defeated Bangor 4-0 on Tuesday night with Billy Crellin, Jordan Stewart, Aaron McEneff and MJ Kamson Kamara coming in the starting XI in place of Andrew Mills, Ross Clarke, Daniel Larmour and Jack Malone.

Linfield were looking for a penalty in the opening minutes after Matthew Fitzpatrick went down in the box following a tussle with Marcus Kane, but referee Ben McMaster was unmoved.

It was the Glens who carved out the first opening on nine minutes as Jordan Stewart connected with Danny Amos’ corner, but his shot flew over the bar.

The whole of the National Stadium was united in applause in the 11th minute in memory of 11-year-old Mason Keilhauer who passed away earlier this week.

Stewart tried his luck again soon after but his effort from inside the box flew over the target again.

Stewart was carrying the biggest threat and went close again on 14 minutes curling an effort narrowly wide from Josh Daniels’ cutback.

Daniels then had an effort blocked at the far post before James Singleton glanced a header wide from a MJ Kamson-Kamara flick on before the half hour.

Kirk Millar let fly with a speculative effort for Linfield on 31 minutes which dipped over the bar.

As we moved towards half-time Aaron McEneff tested Chris Johns before Isaac Baird produced a superb block to deny Stewart just as he was about to pull the trigger.

It was the Blues who threatened first at the start of the second half as Fitzpatrick drew a great save out of Crellin on 55 minutes.

Glentoran went straight up the pitch with Amos forcing Johns into action to keep out his half-volley.

The tension was rising as the second half progressed with both sides reduced to trying their luck from outside the area, with McEneff and Kyle McClean coming closest to breaking the deadlock.

Neither side could find a winner in normal time so it was onto 30 minutes of extra-time with chances at a premium as the first period ended goalless.

The second period continued in a similar vein, but the game was to turn with three minutes left as Linfield were awarded a penalty after Kamson-Kamara was adjudged to have fouled Chris McKee in the area with the striker converting the resulting spot kick to win the game.

Glentoran 0 – 1 Linfield 1 

Starting XI: Crellin, Cooney, Kane (capt) (Larmour), Kamson Kamara, Amos, Palmer, McEneff, Singleton (Douglas), Stewart (Burt), Hoban, Daniels (Jenkins).

Subs: Mills, Connolly, Gallagher,