Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one West

Okehampton Argyle 2

Porthleven 2

A BATTLING performance from Argyle saw them gain a well deserved point against a team who are in with a strong chance of a top four placing this season.

This was the type of performance needed in order to bounce back from last week's drubbing and the whole squad should be congratulated on the character they showed to twice come from behind and so nearly win this game.

The visitors took the lead after only five minutes when Justin Searle cut in from the left and fired in a fierce shot which Oke keeper Harry Geering did well to turn away. Unfortunately for Argyle, it was Porthleven's Chris Lawrence who was first to the loose ball and he made no mistake, firing home into the roof of the net from 15 yards.

Okehampton battled back and started to put the visitors defence under pressure and were level eight minutes later when a right wing cross was superbly volleyed home from the edge of the box by Argyle player-manager Stuart Cann, the ball hitting the back of the net before the keeper had time to move. Argyle continued to have the upper hand and were unlucky not to take the lead two minutes later, when a great move saw Ben Waters' effort rebound off the crossbar. However on 23 minutes Porthleven were awarded a penalty – for a handball by James Williams. A brilliant diving save by Geering low down to his right denied Porthleven's Jamie Barr and the game remained level.

The remainder of the first half was even although Okehampton had to thank Geering for two more fine saves.

At the break, Argyle had to replace injured right back Dale Chadwick, who had had a fine first half. His replacement, 16-year-old Corey Burns, slotted in perfectly to the back four and did not put a foot wrong. Nine minutes after the interval, it was the visitors who took the lead, when a terrific deep right wing cross from Justin Searle, was neatly headed home by Porthleven's impressive young forward Dominick Bachelor.

Argyle showed great character to come back again and midway through the half, Ed Squire's probing high ball from the left was flicked home with his head by Ben Waters. Argyle could easily have won the game ten minutes later when a superb move saw Ben Waters race clear with only the keeper to beat, but Pennington in the visitors' goal pushed his shot away for a corner. Luke Alden and Cann both had chances for Argyle but their volleys were too high and it was Porthleven who pressed for the last five minutes but Geering and the Argyle defence were up to the challenge.

In the end, a draw was a fair result and both teams are to be congratulated on serving up good fair football on a difficult surface in a match that was played in a good spirit throughout.

Argyle had rearranged their defence with Shane Monnox coming in at left back, allowing Alex Wren to move into midfield and the change worked well. Sam Brooks returned to midfield and had a fine game and Cann played himself up front taking some of the pressure off the hard-working Ben Waters. In the last ten minutes, Cann was replaced by Darren Gilbert for his league debut and his injection of pace worried the visitors. Argyle's man of the match must go to keeper Harry Geering for a string of fine stops and a vital penalty save.

* This Saturday in the league Argyle are at home to Godolphin Atlantic, kick-off 3pm; Argyle seconds are away to Newtown thirds in Devon and Exeter four, ko 3pm; in D and E eight Argyle thirds are away to Offwell Rangers seconds, ko 3pm.