Cumbrian goalkeeper James Trafford was England’s hero as the Under-21s won the European Championships in hugely dramatic style.

Trafford saved an injury-time penalty as the young Lions defeated Spain 1-0.

The 20-year-old Manchester City keeper, from Greysouthen, put his name in lights as he dived to his right to keep out Abel Ruiz’s spot-kick.

Trafford then also saved the follow-up attempt to earn his place in English football history.

The former Dean Primary and Cockermouth Secondary School boy was mobbed by his team-mates after the final whistle.

News and Star: England - including Trafford, fourth left and Jarrad Branthwaite, third right, lift the trophyEngland - including Trafford, fourth left and Jarrad Branthwaite, third right, lift the trophy (Image: PA)

The dramatic scenes meant former Carlisle United academy keeper Trafford did not concede a goal in the entire tournament, as England - with another Cumbrian in defender Jarrad Branthwaite among their substitutes - won the Under-21 Euros for the first time since 1984.

Trafford's save meant England's first-half strike, when Cole Palmer's free-kick deflected in off Curtis Jones, proved decisive.

News and Star: James Trafford is mobbed after his penalty saveJames Trafford is mobbed after his penalty save (Image: PA)

The goalkeeper had already been described as one of England's breakout stars of the tournament through his impressive goalkeeping and five clean sheets en route to the final.

A nervous final then unfolded in the opening stages with Spain’s Alex Baena shooting wide after intercepting a Trafford pass.

A header from a free-kick then flashed wide as Spain tried to become the first team to score past Trafford in the Euros.

Lee Carsley’s England then struck via Palmer’s deflected free-kick in first half added time, with angry scenes following between the respective benches as a Spain coach and England assistant Ashley Cole both sent off.

After the break Spain’s Ruiz had a headed goal ruled out for offside, before Trafford showed solid handling to keep out further attempts from England’s opponents.

The keeper, who is strongly linked with a move to Burnley, was later booked for time-wasting as England looked to close out their victory.

News and Star: Trafford, back row third left, lines up with England before the finalTrafford, back row third left, lines up with England before the final (Image: PA)

Trafford smothered further danger late on but the final took a hugely dramatic twist when Levi Colwill was penalised for a challenge in the box on Ruiz after a VAR check.

Spain star Ruiz stepped up and sent his penalty low to the left - but Trafford was equal to it, and the Cumbrian then got in the way of the follow-up.

England saw through the final moments of added time while further angry scenes at the end of the game saw the young Lions' Morgan Gibbs-White red-carded.

That, though, did not dampen the celebrations as Trafford, Branthwaite and their team-mates got their hands on the silverware and winners' medals.