Falmouth Town 1 Exmouth Town 1

A James Ansell strike in the 74th minute cancelled out Falmouth captain Tom Whipp's first half goal, but Town held on to secure a deserved share of the points against high-flying Exmouth at Bickland Park on Saturday.

It was tough on Town, who played some good football and defended manfully after Whipp's opener from a deep corner by Falmouth man-of-the-match Dan Richardson seconds before the break.

But Exmouth improved in the second half, and Ansell slid in to poke home a cross from former Town player Lloyd Gardner late on to set up a tense finale during which both sides had chances to win it.

A drab first half saw neither side register a meaningful shot on goal.

Scott Kellow had a tame effort easily stopped by Exmouth keeper Grant Fisher, while at the other end Danny Burrows got down well to save a back post header from Ace High.

Then with almost the last kick of the half Falmouth were awarded their first corner, and Richardson's ball into the box dropped to Whipp, who slid in at the back post to put Town a goal up.

Exmouth improved in the second half, but the home side defended stubbornly and in numbers.

Gardner was consistently impressive down the right for Exmouth, and caused problems for Falmouth as the game wore on.

But despite the visitors seeing more of the ball Burrows was seldom called into action until he was forced to pick the ball out of the back of the net in the 74th minute.

A surging run from Garnder wide on the right saw him beat Scott Kellow for pace and fizz a low cross into the six yard box which Ansell poked in under pressure.

Town pressed hard for a winner as the clock ran down, and might have nicked it when Fisher spilled a back pass and striker Andy Westgarth came close to getting a foot to the ball.

Burrows made a fine save at full stretch from a long range effort by Ansell in the dying seconds, but neither side could land the killer blow.

The game was watched by Penryn Athletic striker Kayne Trevaskis who, if rumours are to be believed, will sign for Falmouth over the weekend.

Falmouth: D Burrows, E Timmons, S Kellow, J Cooper, T Whipp (c), R Pope, D Richardson, G BEll, S Winnan, A Westgarth, D Batchelor SUBS (not used): S Retchford, D Friend, M McIlroy.

Exmouth: G Fisher, A Fowler (c), A Greening, J Moore, E Weeks, C Vere, K Rickard, L Gardner, A High, M Nardiello (A Thompson 69), J Ansell SUBS (not used): D Boere, R PEars, K Mill, M Saunders.