St Blazey 2, Helston Ath 2 (aet, Helston won 5-4 on penalties)

HELSTON grunted and groaned their way into the second round of the Walter C Parson Cup with this below-par display at Blaise Park on Friday evening.

Boss Sid Taylor described it as "probably our worst performance this season" but crucially, the Blues held their nerve to win in dramatic fashion late into the mid-Cornwall evening.

The hosts, undergoing something of a transition following the departure of boss Alan Carey, took the lead after ten minutes when Danny O'Hagan lost his marker and headed home a corner.

Gemell Mills, who later suffered an ankle injury, scored a delightful equaliser when he beat two defenders before scoring his first senior goal for the club midway through the half.

Helston then went in front before the break when Matt Drummond did well to hold up the ball before teeing up Kyle Marks to shoot home from just inside the penalty area.

In the second period John Rundle was dismissed for the home side for a challenge on keeper Barrie Wyatt, but St Blazey went on to dominate and debutant Tyler Cheshire grabbed a deserved equaliser to send the game into extra time.

Both sides had chances to win it, but it took a penalty shoot-out to separate them.

Wyatt scored their first spot kick, followed by successful strikes from Kirk Davies, Jamie Thomson and Marks to match the Saints' four conversions.

Hughie Howlett, who had been outstanding during the game for the visitors, then saw his penalty saved, but Wyatt then saved St Blazey's kick to send the shoot-out into sudden death.

Matt Buchan, who had been used sparingly by Taylor ahead of his county youth match on Saturday, stepped up score the winning goal and set up a second round tie at Division 1 West side St Dennis on October 15.

Helston: B Wyatt, K Davies, H Howlett, B Harris, N Taylor, J McCardie, K McPhilbin, G Mills, T Russell, M Drummond, K Marks. Subs: J Thomson, B Beesley, M Buchan.