SALTASH UNITED 2

D Simpson, M Thorne

Red cards: G Coulton, C Pender

Yellow card: M Thorne

FALMOUTH TOWN 1

A Bowker

Red card: B Nute

IT wasn't the football that was the attraction at Kimberely Stadium on Saturday, but rather more about what happened away from it both on and off the pitch.

In fact, there was the spectacle of a pitch battle in the second half when the two teams square up to each other and there to witness it was former Truro City manager Dave Leonard talking to another former City manager, Steve Massey.

Just what was the topic of conversation was is anybody's guess, but as soon as they were seen to together it was, apparently, a sign that Leonard was on his way to Town.

That remains to be seen, but in their final away game of the season, Town went down 2-1 against a Saltash team that had to play the final 25 minutes with nine men. It was also Town's fifth game without a win.

The game started as a lively affair, but it took 10 minutes before the first real chance was carved out. It went to Town as Lee Langmead beat the offside trap but rolled his shot across the face of the goal.

United put together a good move seven minutes later when a ball into the box from Mark Chapman was headed across goal by Carl Pender and it ended with Danny Lewis almost copying Langmead's effort by rolling the ball across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.

The home side took the lead in the 35th minute. Lloyd Gardner conceded possession to Daley Simpson who played the ball out to Thorne. He crossed the ball in low and Simpson was on hand at the near post to beat Murphy in a well-worked move.

The lead only lasted five minutes as Town were soon back on level terms. A throw in from the left found its way into the box and Andy Bowker nipped in to beat the 'keeper to the ball and prod home his 19th goal of the season.

Bowker could have given Town the lead but in a glorious one-on-one with Chris Wearing, the 'keeper made a good save with his knees.

Into first half stoppage time it was Nathan Murphy's turn to make a good save when he parried a goalbound shot from Lewis.

Saltash took the lead in the 51st minute. A goalbound shot was headed over the bar by Burchell at the expense of a corner. From the corner came a mini scramble before Thorne had the final touch to head the ball past Murphy from close range.

The Ashes had a goal disallowed for offside and straight from the kick, Langmead thought he had broken through but he too was thwarted by the flag.

In the 65th minute, following a hard tackle from Brinton Nute on Dave Smith, a 21-man brawl ensued. The wise old head of Bowker stayed away but with bodies flying in and arms and insults flying everywhere. The final outcome was a red card for Nute and for the home side Coulton and Pender were both sent off with Thorne picking up a yellow card from Paignton referee Philip Cowley.

Six minutes later Town made a change with Chris Peck replacing the ineffective Gardner.

In the 78th minute a precision pass by Burchell was taken on the chest by Ben Goldring who hit a stinging half volley from just inside the area, but Wearing made a brilliant one-handed save to keep his side in front.

In the 83rd minute a cross into the Saltash abox by Goldring was needlessly handled by Neil Bettis who picked up a silly yellow card.

With time ebbing away, the home side were forced into a change in the second minute of injury time when Chapman was stretchered off and replaced by Josh Fenwick.

Two minutes later, Town made a double change with Dominic Rivans and Goldring being replaced by Luke Wort and Ashley Thomas, the latter making his debut, but despite eight minutes of injury time, Town were unable to snatch an equalising goal.

Town end their season at home to Buckland Athletic on Saturday(2.45 pm kick off). For youngsters it's a bonus because it's a game where kids (accompanied by an adult) will get in for free.

United: C. Wearing; D. Smith, S. Sargison, T. Clarke, T. Bouch, D. Simpson, M. Chapman (J. Fenwick 92m), G. Coulton, M. Thorne (G. Palmer 82m), C. Pender, D. Lewis. Subs (unused): C. Farnham, J. Frickleton & L. Carew.

Town: N. Murphy; D. Rivans (A. Thomas 94m), F. Nevin, N. Bettis, B. Nute, B. Goldring (L. Wort 94m), D. Burchell, M. Godfree, L. Langmead, A. Bowker, L. Gardner (C. Peck 71m). Sub (unused): B. Davies.

Referee: Philip Cowley (Paignton) Assistants: Alistair Salter and Chris Palmer (Newton Abbot)