Bernard Mendy scored a stoppage-time winner from the penalty spot to break Lens hearts and earn Paris St Germain their third Coupe de la Ligue success with a 2-1 win at the Stade de France.
The substitute kept his composure to stroke home nonchalantly from 12 yards with seconds remaining, just when it looked like an entertaining match would be going to extra time.
Pedro Pauleta had put PSG ahead midway through the first half, but Eric Carriere equalised in the 52nd minute and it was Lens who carried the greater threat throughout.
However, it was the capital club who walked away with the trophy as they added to their competition wins in 1995 and 1998.
Pauleta, in his last season with PSG, almost opened the scoring in the sixth minute but his goalbound shot from close range was deflected over by the sprawling Adama Coulibaly.
He was to have better luck in the 19th minute. Clement Chantome's drive was deflected into the path of Portugal's record goalscorer, who calmly lofted a deft finish over the stranded Ronan Le Crom from 12 yards to put PSG in front.
By that time, Lens had lost key forward Loic Remy to what appeared an ankle injury but they still provided a threat up front.
PSG goalkeeper Mickael Landreau needed to be at his best to tip aside acrobatically a Toifilou Maoulida curler and then save Olivier Monterrubio's shot with his legs.
The pacy Amara Diane carried PSG's main source of penetration at the other end and he went close twice before the break.
Carriere headed straight at Landreau from a great position in the 50th minute but found his range moments later.
The midfielder dummied Kevin Monnet-Paquet's pass before running onto Maoulida's throughball and slipping a finish past Landreau into the corner.
Lens held the upper hand now and Monterrubio crashed against the post a stunning volley that had Landreau beaten.
Maoulida then headed just wide before PSG woke from their torpor just in time.
With just seconds left of the allotted four minutes of injury time, Peguy Luyindula was dragged down by Vitorino Hilton in the box and Mendy duly slotted home the spot-kick to send PSG into next season's UEFA Cup.
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