PETERBOROUGH Islanders now have one less trophy on their radar after losing out in the final of the English National League Cup.

After heading up to Sheffield protecting a 5-5 scoreline from the first leg, Hammill's side were unable to find their feet fast enough as the Spartans ran out 7-4 winners for a 12-9 aggregate triumph.

A poor start led to 4-0 deficit and despite a better showing in the final act, the goals from Ross Mackinstosh, Jason Buckman, Jamie Holland and James Pentacost which briefly pulled it back to 5-4 in the third, were not enough for Islanders to add to their trophy haul.

With both southern league trophies in the bag, Islanders ha been hoping to add the cup to their collection, instead attention now turns to the big league decider against Nottingham next weekend (face-off Sunday May 18, 8.15pm).

Hammill said: "We had a pretty dismal first two periods and only really got going in the third but by then it was too late. We got to within 5-4 and we were pushing hard but we got caught out and they hit us for two more goals.

"But we can play better and just have to forget about this now and move on.

"The game against Nottingham was always bigger for us in terms of importance and not it has just got a whole lot bigger.

"We missed out in the play-off finals and now we have lost out here so we are even more determined to make for for it with the overall national title."