DESPITE holding their own against one of Cornwall’s top teams, Penryn Athletic fell short at St Austell.

In their Walter C Parson Cup tie, a fortunate effort from Ollie Gibson just before half time and a tap-in from Jared Sims saw the South West Peninsula League Premier side progress to the third round of the competition.

However, the gap between the two sides, which consists of 20 league places and one division, was not overly prominent though at Poltair Park as Athletic put in a good showing.

Featuring for the first time in Penryn colours was central defender Rob Dunn after signing from Newquay and his debut saw him having to cope with early pressure from the Lillywhites, who lost in the final last season to Plymouth Parkway.

The visiting defence were able to deal with this though as the closest St Austell came to opening the scoring saw Liam Eddy’s shot glance off the top of the crossbar four minutes into the game.

Proceedings began to level out and led to a three minute spell before the break which saw both sides get opportunites to take the lead before the hosts eventually did.

Eddy had the first effort in this frantic period, but from just eight yards out swerved his effort wide of the near post.

Then midfielder Kevin Lawrence got a gilt edged chance for Athletic as he found space to sprint goalwards.

But with home goalkeeper Jason Chapman racing out to meet him, Lawrence sent his shot the wrong side of the posts.

The breakthrough came for St Austell in the 43rd minute in flukey circumstances as Gibson sent in a cross from the touchline.

With the wind being very strong at Poltair Park, it took hold of the ball and sent it over the hands of Chris Symons before dipping below the crossbar and into the net.

Penryn came out for the second half and continued the good work they had shown in the first as Ryan Martt and Scott Palmer both had shots saved by Chapman.

As the visitors looked to switch things around to go more attacking, disaster struck with their hosts doubling the lead in the 63rd minute.

Neil Slateford struck a ball across the goalmouth which curled round a defenders foot before finding Sims at the back post, leaving him with the simple job of tapping home.

Athletic attempted to find the spark needed to produce a comeback, but the closest they came after going 2-0 down was from substitute David Leech who could not get a header on target.

The result ends Penryn’s campaign in the cup for another season, but the team went home with great credit added to their name with the performance shown.

PENRYN: Symons, Blizzard, Martt (Band, 66), Toy (Leech, 66), Oliver (c), Dunn, Brabyn, Moody (Cooke, 80), Palmer, Broglino, Lawrence.

SUBS NOT USED: Jorey, Spackman.