PERRANPORTH 2 MULLION 1

MULLION will be kicking themselves for allowing this Jolly's Combination League Supplementary Cup preliminary round tie slip from their grasp.

Perran had a player sent off just before half time and to make things worse for them, Mullion took the lead in the second half. However, the visitors were undone with two goals in the final ten minutes as the home side gained a fortunate win.

With goalkeeper Glenn Williams having joined Porthleven's SWL side, Mullion had to draft in young Ben Tremaine in goal, but he did well and couldn't be faulted for either of the goals.

With a strong wind blowing across the ground, good football was difficult, but Mullion worked hard and had the better of the early exchanges.

Matt Fox had a couple of openings, but on each occasion his shot flashed across the face of the goal whilst Gary Richards saw his effort slip agonisingly wide of the post after a one-on-one with stand-in goalkeeper Micky Lane.

Tremaine did well to keep out an effort that was eventually cleared off the line, but it was Mullion who always looked the more dangerous as they carved open the home defence for Jason Robertson to send his shot whistling just the wrong side of the upright.

Perran were reduced to ten men just before half time when striker Steve Capeling was sent off for a second bookable offence. Tremaine appeared to bring down a Perran player, but the ball went loose for Chris Rosevear to try and clear. As he did so Capeling clattered into him and the striker was sent off for his indescretion.

On the hour Mullion took the lead when Fox was upended by the goalkeeper as he went past him, but despite the referee awarding a penalty and being the last man, Lane did not receive even a yellow card. Robertson took the spot kick and gave the 'keeper no chance.

Tremain was largely untested in Mullion's goal, but ten minutes from time Perran were handed a lifeline when Terry Ansell's shot hit a defender and deflected over the 'keeper and into the net.

Perran piled on the pressure in the last ten minutes and with just minutes to go Alex Arquati was brought down in the box for a penalty. Arquati took the kick and gave Tremaine no chance to earn the home side a fortunate win.

"I thought a draw would have been a fair result," said Mullion manager Terry Stidwell.

"We still have a very young side and they were up against a team that was very experienced and streetwise.

"I thought young Liam Chapman came in and did a good job as did Chris Rosevear who was very solid. I tried a new pairing up front and I thought Gary Richards and Ben Stidwell showed that there is promise in their partnership.

"Another plus point was the fact that Steve Gilks has joined the club and will help me out. So, despite the defeat, all in all, I think the club is moving in the right direction."

Mullion: B Tremaine, C Rosevear, S Rosevear, L Chapman, J Robertson, G Harris, D Meagor, M Fox, G Richards, B Stidwell, D Higgins. Subs: R Carey, K Stidwell, M Newell.