PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 4

S Malsom (3), S Morris

PORTHLEVEN 2

J Thirkle, T Lamborne

Porthleven: N Mee, M Holland, m Day, F Cadman, H Howlett, S Middleton, P O'Shaughnessy, D Stidwell, T Lamborn, J Thirkle, K Lawrence. Subs: J Burr, T O'Shaughnessy, N Thwaites, D Mulready.

HAVING suffered a drubbing at the hands of Plymouth Argyle's youngsters earlier in the season, Porthleven avoided that this time round but not a defeat.

Not for the first time this season the young Pilgrims proved a force to be reckoned with, but Porthleven will be disappointed that they didn't get something from the game.

With Steve Taylor still injured, the Fishermen sported a new goalkeeper in 21-year-old Royal Navy goalkeeper Nigel Mee and he did a reasonable job given that he made his debut with players he hadn't seen let alone previously played alongside.

For Argyle, Lloyd Saxton proved a very capable goalkeeper and as early as the fifth minute he made a fine save from Patrick O'Shaughnessy's free kick.

Sam Malsom, who proved a thorn in Port's side for most of the afternoon, found Matt Wright in space but he drove his shot over the bar.

Argyle's Hungarian Marc Penahazi, with his probing runs, was also a danger throughout, but Port had their chances with Dan Stidwell shooting wide and a free kick by O'Shaughnessy hitting the angle of post and bar before going over.

Saxton came to Argyle's rescue with a fine save from Mark Hollands' looping header, just managing to tip the ball away, but the Pilgrims took the lead in the 21st minute when Petenhazi's free kick was headed into the net by Malsom.

Stidwell had a fleeting chance to get Port back on terms, but his shot from Hollands' pass was hit straight at Saxton.

On the half hour came one of the game's controversial moments when Stidwell was clear but brought down by Josh Fenwick. With just the 'keeper to beat the referee, rather surprisingly, decided that the goalkeeper not Fenwick was the last man and only issued a yellow card.

A minute later justice was done when Porthleven levelled the scores. O'Shaughnessy knocked over a corner from which the 'keeper spilled Fraser Cadman's shot only for Jamie Thirkle to follow up and score.

There was little to choose between the sides at the start of the second half, but Mee came to Port's rescue with a fine save from Richard Groves when he brilliantly tipped the ball away for a corner.

Ten minutes into the half Argyle regained the lead from another Penthazi corner with Sean Morris heading in past Mee.

Holland suffered a shoulder injury in the 60th minute, which meant a return to the line-up for Jamie Burr who was not fully fit.

Kevin Lawrence had a chance in a one on one with the 'keeper, but was foiled.

In the 74th minute Argyle snapped up a third goal when a low cross by Petnehazi struck Martin Day on the hand for the referee to award a harsh penalty. Malsom scored from the penalty spot.

Mee fumbled Petnehazi's fee kick to provide Malson with a simple chance to score Argye's fourth and with time running out Port pulled a goal back when a deep cross by Thirkle found Lamborn who drilled the ball into the net.

Despite scoring, it was all over for Port and certainly all over for Cadman who was sent off in the 91st minute for a second bookable offence.

A minute later Argyle's Darren McCrory suffered the same fate as he also saw red and made a mockery of a sporting game.

This Saturday the Fishermen will have to bounce back when they entertain league champions Bodmin Town at Gala Parc.