GOONHAVERN 3 HELSTON 1

IT is going to require a remarkable run of results if Helston are to rescue their Jolly's Combination League title ambitions after they suffered yet another defeat away to Goonhavern.

At half-time Helston looked more than capable of taking all three points from the game at Reen Manor, but their inability to deal with set pieces cost them dear as the home side hit back to snatch the verdict.

The Blues made an encouraging start and had by far the better of the opening half, but they suffered a blow when striker Gary Davis suffered a hamstring injury and had to be substituted.

It was a bit of a relief for the home side who found Davies' pace and movement difficult to handle.

Helston deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes when Steve Allen got his head to Karl Turner's corner and saw it deflected into the net off Goonhavern defender Kevin Tonkin.

The Blues were always in control throughout the half and had a couple of chances to extend their lead. However, Ryan Treloar failed to put his chance away following a country-mile swing at the ball and Rob Bray was denied by a terrific save by the goalkeeper who tipped the 35-yard effort over the bar.

Helston still looked the more assured side at the start of the second half, but they were soon to bring about their own downfall by conceding free kicks and corners which they were unable to properly defend.

Having conceded a corner which eventually went dead, it had to be retaken after the referee had words with players following a bout of shoving and pushing. It proved an unwise move for the Blues because Kevin Tonkin headed in the cross from his brother David.

Allen had a great chance to restore the Blues' lead, but his shot was hit straight at the 'keeper and Jonny Ludlum also created a great opportunity only to see the goalkeeper smother his effort.

They proved crucial misses on the half-hour when Goonhavern edged in front from a free kick. Craig Brown whipped over the cross and Kevin Tonkin headed past Mark Thomas at the far post.

The Blues brought on Matt Fox and Graham Blake in an effort to shake things up, but their problems only mounted after Eddie Dunn was sent off by referee Andy McKnight.

The Blues were still in with a chance of salvaging a point, but when Jason Barber's pin-point cross found Alastair Chivers' head ten minutes from time it was all over.

Manager Alex McDonald, who was unwell and watched most of the game from his car, said he was disappointed by the way his side conceded goals. "What you don't do against Goonhavern is concede cheap free kicks and corners, but that is what we did and eventually it cost us big-time.

"I think I need to take a long, hard look at our squad because they are just not performing as well as they should be, especially the more senior players. The exception was Richie Wilkinson who I thought had an outstanding game for us."