HELSTON Athletic were shouting “bah humbug” on Saturday as an equaliser with the last touch of the game saw them take just one point away from Mousehole.

The Blues looked to be heading back to Kellaway Park with three points thanks to Mark Goldsworthy’s 65th minute strike. But instead they had to settle for a draw in a game they dominated as Billy Curtis popped up unmarked at the back post to send a header into the net in the final minute of second half injury time.

Athletic’s manager Sid Taylor admitted to lose out on two points in the circumstances they did was “disappointing”, but added a draw was not so bad at a club like Mousehole.

Taylor said: “If you had asked me before the game, I would have been pleased with a point. “The ideal situation was to try and win but make sure we didn’t lose against a side who are chasing promotion like we are.

“That is what we managed to do, but it is a disappointment that we could not hold onto the lead as we deserved a win in my opinion.”

Most of the match was controlled by Helston and they nearly went in front after five minutes when Goldsworthy’s chip was desperately clawed away from the goal-line by home keeper Danny Burrows. Mousehole’s number one put in a man-of-the-match performance as he kept his side in with a shout, pulling off fine saves all afternoon.

He was called into action just before half time when Jamie Thirkle met a cross and got his effort on target, only for Burrows to push it away brilliantly.

Goldsworthy did finally break the deadlock after the break as he finished off a well worked move. Starting in the midfield, away captain Jamie Thomson sent a pass to Andrew Westgarth who shook off his marker and made a run into the box.

The striker could have probably scored it himself, but very unselfishly pulled the ball back to Goldsworthy who was unmarked in the penalty area, giving him an easy chance to make it 1-0.

Athletic kept pushing forward as they attempted to extend their lead, but substitute Mikey Davies saw two efforts stopped by Burrows. In the final 15 minutes, Mousehole applied pressure to their visitors and went on top of the game for the first time in the afternoon. They could not carve out an opening though until the 94th minute when Helston’s defence finally succumbed.

Mark Vercasi’s free kick forced Jason Robertson into a great save and the goalkeeper was on hand again to parry away a rebound. However, the ball was crossed in again and at the far post Mousehole had two men free with Curtis there to nod home before the referee blew the full-time whistle just seconds after the restart.

The result did not affect either club’s position in the South West Peninsula League West with Mousehole staying seventh and Athletic fifth.

On Boxing Day, the Blues travel to neighbours Porthleven for a highly anticipated derby clash which will see the return of the Mayor’s Cup. Kick-off at Gala Parc is 2pm. HELSTON: Robertson, Santos, Howlett, K Davies, A Stidwell, Shainberg (M Davies, 65), Thomson (c), Russell, Thirkle (Adlard, 67), Westgarth, Goldsworthy (Mulcher, 85).