HELSTON 2

J Thompson, M Burrows

MOUSEHOLE 3

T Cape, M Vercesi, J May (pen)

Helston: I Chatfield, E Dunn, C Strike, G Blake, A Sharkey, J Simpson, T Russell, P Black, D Bray, A Collick, R Pearson. Subs: R Wilkinson, N Crook, L Eddy.

A CONTROVERSIAL penalty three minutes from time presented Mousehole with a chance to complete a remarkable comeback in their Jolly's Combination League clash with Helston and it was one they were not going to miss.

It brought en end to Helston's promising revival under the management team of Andy Trathen and Graham Blake, but the Kellaway Park faithful will be convinced that they were robbed of a point.

Having led 2-0 at the break with a very strong wind behind them the Blues must have thought they would at least pick up a point, but a ball that hit Richard Wilkinson full in the face was deemed to have hit his hand by the referee and the penalty denied them even that.

Ironically, after the game Wilkinson bore the scars of the ball actually hitting him in the face with a cut lip and bruising.

The Blues made a great start with a goal after just three minutes. The ball was played down the flank to Phil Black who cut inside and crossed to the near post, but under pressure from Aaron Collick a defender deflected the ball into his own net.

New signing from Holmans, goalkeeper Ian Chatfield, launched a long clearance which the visiting defence only cleared as far as John Simpson, but his shot was well saved by Ben Nurse.

Helston continued to apply pressure and earned a number of corners. It was from one of these in the 19th minute that Helston added a second goal when Chris Strike's whipped corner sailed straight through a cluster of players and into the roof of the net.

Mousehole looked dangerous on the break, but as half time approached Helston continued to have the lion's share of possession.

Just before the break Joel Keen flashed a volley just wide of the post and Helston's Dean Bray put Reg Pearson through, but saw his shot blocked by the 'keeper.

With the strong wind at their backs in the second half it was Mousehole's opportunity to turn the screw, but it was Helston who had the best opportunity when Tom Russell picked up a great ball from Eddy Dunn but hit his shot on the turn against the post.

Russell was unlucky again four minutes later when following a flowing move his shot from Black's pass was inches wide of the upright.

Chatfield came to Helston's rescue with a great save from a header, but in the 66th minute Mousehole got back into the game. John Simpson was booked for a tackle and from the free kick into the box Toby Cape scored with a header.

With conditions deteriorating Helston found it difficult to get out of their own half and ten minutes from time conceded the equaliser when a poor clearance fell to Mark Vercesi who gave Chatfield no chance with his finish from 25 yards.

Just when it appeared Helston might hang on for a point came the incident when Wilkinson's face was penalised for handball and Jowan May made no mistake with the spot kick.

On Saturday Helston are home to St Ives Town.