PORTHLEVEN 1 PENZANCE 0

ONE goal is not a lot, but it was enough to give Porthleven their first win in nine games after beating Penzance 1-0 in the Carlsberg SWL at Gala Parc on Good Friday.

Optimism has not matched reality for the Fishermen, but the season has not been without its high spots with an appearance in two cup semi-finals a bit of a bonus.

In that respect, Port have punched above their weight, but manager Gary Marks will no doubt be relieved that they have at last won a game after such a lengthy spell. What made it all the better was that it was his birthday and against his old club.

For much of this game neither side looked capable of winning it with chances few and far between, especially in the first half, which was bereft of good attempts on goal.

Probably Port's best chance came in the tenth minute when Kevin Lawrence delivered a cross into the box for Jamie Burr to thump in a good header that Jamie Greet cleared off the line.

Penzance fared no better than Port and their best chance came half way through the half when they staged a quick break following a Port attack. Norris-Floyd found himself in a very good position, but he should have done much better than shooting over.

Both Porthleven and Penzance struggled to make any impression and it was no surprise that the game was goalless at half-time.

The Magpies had a couple of corners at the start of the second half, but the home defenders easily dealt with Ashley Thomas's crosses.

Nigel Thwaites sparked some life into the game with a run and shot that saw goalkeeper Paul Williams fail to hold on to but grabbed at the second attempt.

Nick Pugliese had a long-range effort that merely ensured that Taylor felt part of the game and on the hour both sides started to make changes in a bid to liven things up.

Pat Shaughnessy ran on to Ben Medlin's pass, but shot just wide and the same result occurred at the opposite end when Pugliese found himself on the end of Danny Ellis' free kick.

There appeared to be no end to the stalemate, but in the 82nd minute the game was won and lost following a quickly-taken free kick by Port. Lawrence was fed by Shaughnessy and after cutting in past two defenders drove the ball across the face of the goal where Hugh Howlett arrived to slam the ball into the net.

Both sides tried to raise the tempo in the closing minutes, but without too much success as Port held on for a much-needed victory.

Porthleven's next game is home to Torpoint tonight (Wednesday, 7.30 pm) and the following Saturday home to Millbrook.

Porthleven: S Taylor, B Medlin, M Day, M Holland, D Mulready, J Burr, N Thwaites, A Westgarth, S Richards, H Howlett, K Lawrence. Subs: P Shaughnessy, M Day, F Cadman, P Ainscough.