Helston Athletic have now lost their last four matches in a row following a bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bridgwater United at Kellaway Park. 

In a game of very few chances, it was the away side who picked up the points thanks to an eighth-minute penalty from Jack Taylor.

Helston really struggled to create any clear cut chances until the 53rd minute when a low cross somehow evaded top scorer Stu Bowker who had slid in at the back post. 

The game, which was scrappy throughout, turned sour just after the hour mark when Jordan Bentley and Morgan Williams were sent off for an off the ball scuffle leaving both sides with ten men each. 

Minutes later Crumb was also shown marching orders for ten minutes following dissent towards the referee. 

Despite this Helston couldn't pile on the pressure and the away side held on for a result which sees Helston slip to seventh in the Toolstation Western League.

Jordan Bentley was making his Blues debut since signing from Bodmin in midweek, playing in a back three with Josh Storey and Ryan Beattie. 

The defender's afternoon got off to a torrid start however as he upended Williams in the box after the forward had been picked out by a superb switched pass. 

Jack Taylor stepped up and sent custodian Cory Harvey the wrong way to give the travelling supporters something to shout about.

Helston were struggling to create chances with their back three formation and temporary injuries to Storey and Harvey amongst others only added to stoppage time minutes at the end of the half.

Harvey was in the thick of it with 20 minutes played when he made a sharp reflex save to deny Jacob Spence following a corner that pinballed around the box.

In fact, Helston had to wait till the 34th minute for their first chance of note when Bowker was brought down in a wide position. The number ten picked himself up for the following effort but sent his shot over the bar and out of harm's way.

Helston were fortunate not to be 2-0 down after 37 minutes when Tom Llewellyn did superbly well to dink a cross to the back post. The ball fell yards out to Spence who with the goal at his mercy somehow fired over the bar.

With five minutes remaining of the half, the home side tactically switched to a back four with Tom Hands being replaced by Jackson Penhallurick.

The switch nearly paid off in stoppage time when Bowker was brought down right on the edge of the area near the byline. The crossed free-kick looped to the back post but the rising Bentley could only send his effort over the bar. 

Helston needed a response in the second half but again it was Bridgwater who could and should have been two goals up in the opening stages as Mike Duffy was guilty of sending a flying header over the bar from close range. 

The Blues did get themselves going though and on 53 minutes had their best chance of the match to get on the scoresheet. Sam Carter used his body well to glide away from two challenges before picking out for rampaging Penhallurick. The substitute sent a low cross first time across the box which somehow evaded the sliding Bowker at the back post. 

Heartache for Helston, who would have another chance just minutes later but after a corner was headered away Sam carter could only direct his volley wide of the mark.

Then for the drama of the second half. After an array of scrappy challenges and exchanged words an off the ball melee broke out in the middle of the pitch, and following a consultation with the linesman referee Ryan Cornelius opted to send Williams and Bentley off.

Putting an early end to a debut to forget for the former Plymouth Argyle centre back.

So ten vs ten it was but moments later another moment of madness saw United down to nine as Crumb was booked for dissent by the referee resulting in a ten-minute sin bin. 

Disappointingly for the home side, they struggled to break down the visitors despite the extra man. Orlando Anker was subbed on in hope of using his tricky feet to get through the stern backline with 67 minutes on the clock

Following the suspension, Steve Colwell had a half-chance when Anker used his skills to beat a man and pick out a cross. But his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.

Harvey again was forced into action in the 81st minute as Bridgwater sought a second, but Jack Taylor saw his effort denied by the keepers strong palms.

The game dragged into stoppage time and Helston's desperation to get something from the game was summarised with seconds to go as Colwell saw a weak long shot deflected into the keepers' arms. 

So defeat for Helston on their home return, they will hope for a better scoreline when they face Ilfracombe Town away from home in their next match.

Full time: Helston Athletic 0-1 Bridgwater United