PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Pro League champions Joe Public stole an extra-time winner to beat Caribbean Football Union club kings W Connection 3-2 in the FA Trophy final on Wednesday night and snatch their fourth title in six competitions this season.

Conrod Smith came off the bench to stroke in the winner in the 117th minute at the Marvin Lee Stadium after scores were locked 2-2 at full time.

The victory for the Jack Warner-owned Joe Public was their first in three attempts against W Connection in the FA final, and it added to their previous titles in 2001 and 2007.

It also came against all odds as they were forced to play most of the game with 10 men after national Under-20 midfielder Jean-Luc Rochford was red-carded by referee Neil Brizan for retaliation against a foul by defender Eder Arias minutes before half-time.

Watched by the FIFA vice-president Warner, Joe Public took the lead in the 14th minute when Kerry Baptiste collected a cross from the right flank from Kareem Young and blasted his volley past goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams to tally his 48th goal of the domestic season.

W Connection levelled nine minutes before the break when Clyde Leon tapped in a rebound after Joe Public goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa failed to collect a Matthew Bartholomew shot.

Joe Public then lost Rochford to a moment of folly but even then, W Connection failed to press home the advantage as both teams went to the break on even terms.

W Connection got the better of the exchanges after the interval and their hard work paid off in the 80th minute when Bartholomew met Joevin Jones’ accurate left-sided cross with a powerful diving header.

Their dreams of claiming their fourth FA Trophy were scuppered, however, when Arias turned substitute Gorean Highley’s cross into his own net to set up extra time.