ILLOGAN 2 MOUSEHOLE 2

ILLOGAN demonstrated why the Jolly's Combination League title race has been so unpredictable after they drew a game they did enough to win at Oxland Parc on Saturday.

In heavy conditions and a strong wind blowing down the slope, Mousehole battled hard throughout, but Illogan will be rueing the loss of two valuable points.

Illogan included new signing Stuart Robinson from Mullion in a line-up that an unusual look about it, especially the back four, but they were never under pressure in the early stages as Illogan took charge of the game in midfield.

An early effort was cleared off the line and then after 14 minutes Wayne made a good run and thumped a stinging shot under the goalkeeper, but fortunately for the 'keeper the ball wedged between his back and the post.

Paul Hosken made a good save to keep Illogan on level terms, but after 24 minutes the home side took the lead when Gareth Pitt won possession and found Nick Ward who crossed into the box for Sam Ridge to head into the net.

Minutes later Illogan had another effort cleared off the line, but after 32 minutes the visitors broke away and scored from a dubious goal. Hosken dropped the ball after gathering a cross, but before he could regain possession he was barged out the way for Tom Patrick to slip the ball into the empty nets.

Despite protests from Illogan the goal, surprisingly, stood.

Illogan didn't allow the incident to affect them for too long because two minutes later they regained the lead when a one-two between Andy Hill and Kevin Lawrence saw Hill go round a defender and cross into the box for Lawrence to score, having quickly made up ground.

Just when it looked like Illogan would go into the break with a lead, Mousehole snatched an equaliser after Patrick's fierce shot flew into the net off Jamie Condon's outstretched boot for an own goal.

The second half was a scrappy affair with neither side being able to sustain any periods of pressure.

Goalkeepers were largely untroubled with Mousehole's long ball game with the wind not offering any hope of a goal and Illogan guilty of giving away possession for too cheaply.

The home side had two great chances to snatch the points in the closing minutes. With seven minutes to go Hill crossed into the box, but with Richie Ward having only the goalkeeper to beat he sidefooted the ball the wrong side of the post.

Almost immediately Lawrence delivered a perfect through ball for Ward, but again with only the 'keeper to beat he sliced the ball the wrong side of the post.

For Illogan, Robinson made a useful debut whilst Hill, Sturmey, and Lawrence worked hard throughout the 90 minutes.

On Saturday Illogan are away to Porthleven, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Illogan: P Hosken, S Robinson, J Condon, D Topliss, S Ridge, W Brown, K Lawrence, N Ward, G Sturmey, G Pitt, A Hill. Subs: R Ward, N Adams, M Willey.