Both defences came out on top in a hotly anticipated derby as Helston Athletic and Mousehole played out a 0-0 stalemate in front of 403 spectators at Kellaway Park.

Helston had the better opportunities to win the game but failed to make the most of their chances in either half as they remain seventh in the Toolstation Western League table. Mousehole meanwhile move up to second, one point above third-placed Exmouth who Helston host in their next match. 

Mousehole kicked off but the home side were quick to nick the ball back and create the better openings in the early exchanges. Steve Colwell, who replaced the injured Josh Storey, had the game's opening chance with just two minutes on the clock, but the midfielder sliced a half volley wide from the edge of the box. 

Aaron Bentley had a golden opportunity to open his account in Helston colours with five minutes played. Colwell was again involved, this team threading a well-weighted pass to Craig Veal who picked out Bentley with a low cross. But with the goal at his mercy from inside the area, he could only scuff wide of the mark. 

Mousehole gradually grew into the game and had their first sighter after 12 minutes but Tallan Mitchell's first time hit from the edge was never going to trouble Mike Searle in the Helston net.

Helston looked menacing with every attack though and had two chances in a matter of moments in the 21st minute. Firstly Reece Shanley dinked a cross which looked to be looping in but for the palm of Mousehole gloveman Ollie Chenoweth. The ball could only be cleared as far as Colwell who beat a man with a stepover before locating Veal on the six-yard box with a low cross. But the seasoned strikers prodded attempt skewed wide of the goal.

Helston utilised their physical advantage from set-pieces and should have capitalised when Bentley nodded a Matt Bye free-kick across the goal on 32 minutes. But neither Kai Cornish nor Stu Bowker could connect with the ball.

Mousehole were limited to long-range efforts due to the dominance of the home defence. Jack Calver had fans off their seats with a thunderbolt from all of 25 yards in the 38th minute, however, his strike flew just high and wide of the top corner.

The hosts had one more chance to take the lead before the break and again it was from a set-piece. Bye sent a corner onto the head of Bentley who planted a firm attempt goalwards which had to be cleared off the line by a last-ditch intervention from a green shirt. 

The second stanza began in the way the first had ended with Helston threatening from a corner, this time Jordan Bentley latched onto a delivery but could only stoop to head over the bar in the 47th minute.

Helston's first-team coach Dani Bua was sent his marching orders with 50 minutes on the clock from some stern words regarding a decision that didn't go his sides way.

The home side continued to deny Mousehole from playing their usual flowing brand of football and felt that they could have had a penalty when Bowker was upended in the box after 52 minutes.

The talisman who has three goals in his last two games beat the offside trap and attempted to round Chenoweth. The keeper went to ground and so did Bowker with the challenge but referee Simon Long felt that the keeper had got enough of the ball. Much to the disappointment of many in the ground.

The home side had an array of half chances that were snuffed out by Mousehole's strong defence in the minutes that followed as both sides searched for what would have been an important three points. 

Mousehole had a glorious opportunity to score with 80 minutes played when Louis Price carved a route down the line before firing a low cross into Mitchell inside the area. The midfielder looked certain to score but somehow Aaron Bentley got a toe on the ball to deflect it to safety. 

It was Jordan Bentley's turn to deny Mousehole two minutes later as he threw himself to the floor in his own area to block another fierce attempt from Price.

Former Mousehole striker mark Goldsworthy was sent on for Jack Calver with five minutes to go as the Seagulls searched for a winner but it was Helston who had the last major opening in the 90th minute. 

Tyler Elliott showed great tenacity to beat his man to a header that found its way to Cornish. The winger picked out Bowker who was in on goal but being rapidly pursued by green defenders. 

The striker opted to shoot early from the outside of the box but his wild attempt flew harmlessly wide of the goal as the game ended goalless. 

Helston are now six unbeaten and have only conceded once in that time, their next match is at home to third-placed Exmouth Town on Saturday, April 2 at Kellaway Park.

Teams:
Helston Athletic:
M. Searle, R. Shanley, T. Elliot, J. Bentley, A. Bentley, H. Jewell, M. Bye, S. Colwell, C. Veal, S. Bowker, K. Cornish. 
Subs: C. Harvey, R. Hill, S. Buckley, R. Bowker, J. Penhallurick

Mousehole: 
O. Chenoweth, B. Curtis, K. Fraser, M. Richards, S. Burt, M. Hill, H. Turner, J. Calver, L. Price, T. Mitchell, C. Mconie,
Subs: J. Devine, A. Elcock, J. Sims, M. Goldsworthy, A. Dilley