THIRD time proved to be the charm for Helston Athletic as they beat rivals Penryn Athletic on Saturday.

Their Cornwall Senior Cup clash at Kellaway Park was their third meeting of the season having already played each other home and away in the South West Peninsula League West.

On both these occasions, Penryn came out on top with a 5-4 win at Kernick Road before toppling Helston 4-1 last month.

However, this time it was Sid Taylor's side who found the extra bit of quality to see off their opponents and progress to the third round.

With a total of 12 players unavailable due to injury, work and other commitments, Penryn arrived with a depleted side but still put up a decent display against a strong Helston team.

The hosts were well on top during the opening exchanges with visiting goalkeeper Chris Symons having to make a number of saves, including a good one from a well placed effort from Dan Stidwell.

Helston stayed in charge until the half hour mark when Ben Spackman got Penryn's first real chance of the match, but he was unable to find the target.

It remained goal-less until three minutes into the second half when Kevin Lawrence opened the scoring for the away side.

His accurate shot managed to beat James Wignall at his near post and it seemed Penryn might be able to do the trick again over Helston.

But the hosts were not taking this lying down and ten minutes later got an equaliser.

Having managed to keep out a series of corners, visiting goalkeeper Symons could not get a hold of Jamie Thomson's shot, giving the ever-alert Mark Goldsworthy the opportunity to react and poach a goal.

They then found themselves in the lead four minutes later when tall centre back Hugh Howlett got a glancing touch from a corner which sent the ball in Jason Robertson's path to sweep into the net.

Proceedings seemed to be all said and done with nine minutes remaining when Robertson popped up again to make it 3-1.

Goldsworthy round the goalie but saw his shot hit the foot of the post, but his colleague was on hand to follow up on the rebound before the defence could react.

Even though it looked like Helston were motoring into the next round, there was a sting in the tail from Penryn as Lawrence threaded a pass to Dave Leach who then superbly struck the ball round Wignall to set up a nervy finish.

Despite pushing for an equaliser, Penryn were held off by Helston who know enter the hat for Saturday's third round draw.

HELSTON: Wignall, Santos, Shainberg (A Stidwell, 65), Thomson (c), Howlett, K Davies, D Stidwell, Russell (Adlard, 74), Robertson, Goldsworthy, M Davies (Thirkle, 70).

PENRYN: C Symons, Blizzard (c), May, Spackman (A Symons, 85), Winnan (Joery, 82), Martt, Johnson, Moody, Palmer, Cooke (Leach, 46), Lawrence.

UNUSED SUB: Chinn.