Porthleven boss reflects on 2-1 loss at Camelford in SWPL

Despite 15 points and 13 places separating the sides before kick-off, it was 16th-placed Port who took the lead through Gemell Mills, who rifled the rebound home in the 27th minute after his initial shot was saved.

Camelford were level before the break through Bobby Hopkinson, who volleyed home from a cross a few minutes before half-time.

The winner came in controversial fashion as the referee awarded a penalty for a handball against Port skipper Hugh Howlett, with Mark Gusterson slamming home from the spot for what would be the decisive goal.

Port struck the post and crossbar late on as they searched in vain for a leveller, but Blake was pleased with his side's positive response to last week's crushing 8-1 loss at Bodmin Town.

"We went away with a bare 11 but I can’t take it away from them, their character and how they played," Blake said. "It was a totally different game to last week at Bodmin – they really put a shift in."

Blake bemoaned the awarding of the penalty for Camelford’s equaliser, which was given after a shot struck the arm of Howlett on the edge of the box. The referee initially gave a free-kick, but pointed to the spot after consulting with his linesman.

“The penalty was never a penalty," Blake said. "I know Camelford will say different, but the guy has hit the ball from 25 yards out or a bit closer, it’s hit Hughie’s hand by his side and it’s come at him at force.

“There was no way it was a penalty because his arms were down by his side. It’s annoying because we played so well yesterday [Saturday].

“It’s hard conditions at Camelford, it’s never an easy place to go, and the biggest thing for me was we finished the better.

“We hit the post, we hit the crossbar, we finished the better side, and it was a much better performance than against Bodmin, which I think was a one-off disaster to be honest.

“After a bit of a dismal week, it really made me feel a lot better."