Helston Athletic could no repeat their heroics of previous rounds in the Cornwall Senior Cup as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat at home to Saltash United.

The Kellaway Park Club, who had beaten last year’s semi-finalists Illogan and seen off Carlsberg South West Peninsula League (CSWPL) premier division side Wadebridge in the previous round, found Saltash United in good form on Saturday.

The visitors, who also play two divisions above Helston in the CSWPL premier division, were ahead after ten minutes when Gavin Coulton ran behind the Helston defence and drilled a shot past goalkeeper Martin Webster.

However, Helston were not outplayed in the first half and almost levelled on two occasions through Dan Stidwell. Jason Robertson also shot narrowly wide, while a chipped effort from Mark Goldsworthy went agonisingly wide of the post when he was through on goal.

The home side paid for those misses early in the second half when Coulton got in behind the home defence once more and shot past Webster. However, a well-worked move put Helston back in the match moments later as Robertson played Phil Black in down the wing and he crossed for Stidwell to cushion a header into the path of Shaun Parker.

The midfielder made no mistake crashing home a shot from inside the area. There was to be no fightback however as the home side began to tire. This allowed the visitors to create a number of chances and despite the best efforts of Webster they eventually restored their two-goal lead. Black was the unfortunate Helston player to get on the scoresheet as he turned a Saltash cross into his own net.