ANOTHER early dent was bashed into Penryn Athletic's title hopes on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at St Dennis.

Despite having the lion's share of the chances and possession, Athletic were unable to capitalise on this as they lost for the second week in a row to a fellow suitor for the South West Peninsula League West crown.

Their last outing saw them felled 3-1 by Sticker at Kernick Road the previous weekend and the side knew a victory would be vital to recapture a bit of early season form.

Returning to the starting line-up where Chris Symons, Ollie Moody and Dave Broglino after the trio got back from their holidays.

Russell May, a first team regular last season before making a decision to play for the reserves in this campaign, also featured after the Combination League clash against Porthleven was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Athletic came up against St Dennis' new look forward line with summer signings Mikey Davies, Paul Robertson and Dan Jennings starting as Lee Rickard serves out a suspension following his abusive social media outburst when these sides met at Boscowan Park earlier this year.

A host of chances fell Athletic's way during the match and they opened the scoring after 25 minutes.

When the teams met in last last season's Charity Cup Final, Saints goalkeeper Brett Allen pulled off the performance of his life to deny his opponents and help his side win 2-0.

However, he was unable to prevent his defences being breached this time as Luke Brabyn's shot on the angle somehow managed to squeeze past him at the near post and find the net.

Within five minutes though, an equaliser had been found by the hosts as Carl Rickard's free kick from just outside the area went round the wall and past Symons.

Broglino, Ryan Reeve and Ryan Chinn all had good chances for Athletic, but were unable to capitalise on them as Penryn dominated proceedings.

They were dealt a fatal blow in the 55th minute as Jennings got past right-back Dave Blizzard and powered a shot past Symons.

After this, Athletic did all they could to find a way back in with Kevin Lawrence getting on the end of two chances, but both failed to find the target.

Wadebridge Town come to Kernick Road on Saturday with Athletic now desperate to get their season back on track.

PENRYN: Symons, Blizzard, May, Chinn, Oliver (c), Martt, Brabyn, Moody, Reeve, Broglino (Palmer 72), Lawrence.

UNUSED SUBS: Langford, Harding.