"The third goal summed up our season," was manager Steve Massey's verdict on an uninspiring Carlsberg SWL game against high-flying Saltash United at Bickland Park on Saturday.

Two changes were made from the starting line up that faced Penryn on Boxing Day With Steve Winnan in Cyprus on work training for around three months, Matt Pellow started and with Liam Heenan playing for St Agnes, Bryn Wheeler returned. To add a little spice to the occasion, two former Falmouth championship winners were in the Saltash line up - captain Paul Sidey and fellow defender Paul Wilmot.

Falmouth got off to a bright start. With only three minutes on the clock, Pellow was fouled on the edge of the box. Wayne Brown stepped up and Simon Zinn superbly turned his free kick around the post. Brown's corner created a little mayhem in the box, which ended with Pellow firing over the bar.

Three minutes later and it was Saltash's turn to suffer some ill fortune when Brian Jefferis cracked his shot wide. The next chance of any great note came on 26 minutes when Jefferis was again through on goal but his shooting let him down again and he put the ball over the bar.

Creating the better scoring opportunities, it was no real surprise when it was the visitors who took the lead on 31 minutes. Top scorer Paul Baker found himself in a one-on-one with Ayres, but the ace marksman coolly slotted the ball past the advancing 'keeper.

Five minutes later, Falmouth were forced to make a double substitution. Lee Patchett and Matthew Ellis replaced Ross Pope, who had been injured several minutes previously, and Bryn Wheeler who was injured in a tackle.

As the first half drew to a close, Ayres had to be on his toes as the Ashes strove to double their advantage.

Eight minutes into first half injury time, a poor kick from Zinn fell to the feet of Ashburn who shot first time, but the empty net eluded him and the ball sailed harmlessly away and out for a goal kick.

With the second half only four minutes old, Falmouth deservedly equalised. Ellis received a good pass from Ashburn and beat two defenders before beating Zinn from a narrow angle.

Three minutes later, Baker should have done better but after rounding Ayres he shot wide. A minute later, Ayres pulled off a great save to deny Mike Roberts. The diminuative attacker received the ball in a goalscoring position but Ayres spread himself well.

On the hour, Saltash were again denied, this time Wayne Brown clearingoff the line.

Andy Munro again created havoc for the Saltash back line with menacing runs down the right and although Ellis latched on to his cross the striker was out of luck.

Wayne Brown brought another good save out of Zinn a few minutes later when he cut in from the right and unleashed a good shot which the visiting custodian saved with his feet but at the expense of conceding yet another corner.

As the game entered the final quarter hour, the visitors took the lead. A scramble in the goalmouth led to the ball finding the feet of Steve Murphy who fired a low shot which went in via the feet of a defender.

Nine minutes remained when Paul Baker, under pressure from Patchett, shot wide, but two minutes later Roberts was unlucky when his diving header just cleared the bar, despite the last touch coming off the feet of Jake Ash.

Entering the last five minutes, substitute Dominic Keen, on two minutes before replacing the injured Munro, let fly with a shot that in the end was an easy catch for Zinn as the home side pressed for an equaliser.

A minute from time Wayne Brown was fouled on the edge of the box. His free kick found Ash but he headed over the bar.

As the gloom descended on Bickland Park and the game entered the first of the four injury time minutes, Falmouth's season was summed up by Saltash's winner. In difficult conditions, Lee Patchett attempted to play the ball back to Duncan Ayres, but the pass was poor, and the stranded Ayres could only watch as Roberts had the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty net to give the scoreline a flattering look.

On Saturday Town are away to Liskeard in the Carlsberg SWL, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Town: D. Ayres, A. Munro (D. Keen), J. Ash, M. Spargo, J. Wilcock, R. Pope (L. Patchett), W. Brown, D. Stevens, J. Ashburn, B. Wheeler (M. Ellis), M. Pellow.