Falmouth Town's promotion bid was hit further on Tuesday night when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to St Austell.

Falmouth conceded a late equaliser in the game when Dean Lean headed in a 94th minute corner.

However, Town manager Alan Carey was left fuming at a decision to award a back pass, against Dan Magee, in the lead up to St Austell's equaliser and now faces the prospect of another season in the South West Peninsula League.

Buckland, the only other side to apply for promotion, are five points ahead of Falmouth with two games in hand.

St Austell's continuous use of the off-side trap allied with their long ball, kick and rush tactics succeeded in stopping Falmouth from getting any rhythm going and eventually saw Town trying to adopt similar tactics, which led to a poor quality game all round.

Following their tough encounter with Buckland on Saturday, Falmouth were boosted by the return of Dan Green and Matt Drummond to the starting line-up, although skipper Mark Vercesi’s presence was sorely missed.

St Austell took the lead after ten minutes when a right wing cross eluded both Chris Menhenick and Lee Rundle, only to be met by the unmarked Jake Hartigan who shot home past Jason Chapman from 10 yards.

Falmouth went on the attack and Dan Magee played the ball along the right flank to Jamie Mudge, and he cut into the area before hitting a shot from a tight angle which visiting keeper, Gary Penhaligon pushed out for a corner.

Falmouth were level after seventeen minutes when Chris Menhenick played a good long ball upfield and Matt Drummond raced on to it. Penhaligon raced out of his goal to narrow the angle, but Drummond kept his head and lobbed it over the advancing keeper and in to the gaping net.

A few minutes later, a Dan Green free-kick from the left was fumbled by Penhaligon and the ball flew out to Mudge, but he blasted over the bar from 10 yards when well placed.

St Austell came back into the game more and had most of the possession, but Town’s back four covered well and play was restricted to the midfield area. Jamie Mudge had a couple of half chances, but a good interception by Jordan Dingle and some off target shooting prevented any addition to the score line.

The second half started at a frantic pace with both sides guilty of misplaced passes and lack of thought when it came to moving forward.

Falmouth took the lead in the 57th minute when Dan Lean, who had been having a good game at right back for St. Austell, committed a foul in the penalty area and referee L. Mankee awarded a penalty.

Captain for the night, Dan Green took the spot-kick and smashed it past Penhaligon to give Falmouth the lead.

The Lily Whites increased their efforts to break through the Falmouth defence, with Will Tinsley forcing a finger tip save out of Chapman at the expense of a corner.

Town struggled to get any moves going and play became very disjointed before St Austell forced a corner in the last minute.

The kick came over and was headed behind for another corner from the right. This time there was a scramble of players in the middle and the ball ended up in the back of Falmouth’s goal to give the visitors the equaliser they had so desperately sought.

Other CSWPL midweek results were as follows:

PREMIER

Penzance 1-2 Torpoint

St Blazey 0-1 Saltash

Buckland 3-0 Royal Marines

Cullompton 1-4 Bodmin

Parkway 1-0 Tavistock

Ivybridge 0-0 Dartmouth

DIVISION ONE WEST

Penryn 0-0 Truro City Res