Penryn Athletic’s Carlsberg South West Peninsula League division one west title hopes suffered another blow on Saturday as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Vospers Oak Villa.

It was Athletic’s fourth defeat of the season and while they still sit in second place, they are now 11 points behind runaway league leaders Newquay.

Penryn started the match well, but a soft penalty decision before half-time coupled with an inability to put away countless first-half chances cost them the game.

Torquay-academy player Rob Wearne, who has agreed a deal stay at Penryn for a further month, was first to go close, but having been put through on goal he allowed veteran Vospers keeper Andy Barnes time to close him down and smother his shot.

At the other end Vospers’ main threat came from corners as the aerial presence of Stuart Fort, Jay Simmons and Jason Benyon caused problems.

However, it was still Penryn who were creating the better chances as the lively Wearne was denied twice more by Barnes.

The game then swung in Vospers favour as Tom Whipp was adjudged to have tripped Joe Jasper in the area.

There did seem to be contact from Whipp, but with the ball heading out of play and Jasper well wide of the Penryn goal the Vospers striker went down easily and then stepped up to convert the penalty.

Just after the break Vospers made it 2-0 as a corner from Robbie Almond drifted to the near post, where Jasper sneaked in to flick a shot past Jason Peters and the covering defenders.

Growing in confidence Vospers then forced Penryn captain Peter MacLean to clear off his own goal-line before making it 3-0 on 67 minutes. The decisive goal came after a fine passing move led to Fort smashing the ball home.

Barnes then kept his side in control by making a couple more saves, before Penryn pulled a consolation goal back as Wearne beat Barnes at his near post following a cross from Josh Sims.

Penryn Athletic: Jason Peters, Peter MacLean, David Blizzard, Tom Whipp, Hugh Howlett, Liam Streat, Dan Richardson, Kirk Davies, Kayne Trevaskis, Rob Wearne Joash Sims. Subs (all used): Matt Larcombe, Ben Oliver, David Broglino.