THERE was a moment on Saturday when Falmouth Town may have felt they were about to pull off a remarkable shock over Cornwall Senior Cup champions St Austell.

With eight minutes on the clock, the score read 1-0 in favour of the Ambers at Poltair Park against the Lillywhites, who made the semi final stage of this season’s FA Vase.

But jump forward 82 minutes later and any hope of a surprise was gone as the home side claimed another three points as they chase the South West Peninsula League Premier title.

When Falmouth last travelled to St Austell on December 10, Town were comprehensively beaten 5-0 in the Senior Cup.

This time a bright start was made by Town, who gave a debut to 16-year-old Harry Clarke who recently signed from Probus, with Ed Timmons setting up Glen Squires, who on his 99th appearance for the club rounded goalkeeper Jason Chapman before firing the ball into the net.

The hosts who have not lost any of their games at Poltair Park this season were not playing the usual brand of fluent football they are known for, but on the half hour mark they got back on level terms.

Former Helston Athletic striker Liam Eddy darted into the penalty area with his immense pace before sending a shot at goal which was helped in by team-mate Jared Sims.

Town held out until half time but shortly after the interval St Austell went ahead when midfielder Ollie Brokenshire sent the ball past Jason Peters into the bottom corner from ten yards out.

The visitors did not show any signs of giving up despite their task becoming more uphill and came very close to equalising when Squires made the crossbar rattling when he crashed a shot onto the goal frame.

However, the points were sewn up for the Lillywhites with 21 minutes left by a former Town player as Harry Evans, who left Bickland Park in November, sneaked the ball past Peters who was slow to react.

Eddy had two more good chances to extend the host’s lead before the final whistle, but on both occasions overran the ball and saw the opportunities disappear.

On Saturday, fourth placed Ivybridge Town travel to Bickland Park, kick-off 3pm.

FALMOUTH: Peters, Timmons, Webb, Whipp, Cooper (c), Killen (Appleton 72), Bromley, Sims (Pope 66), Squires, Wearne, Clarke.