East Cornwall premier

Bere Alston United 1

Lanreath 1

BERE went into this game hoping to get back to winning ways after last week's heavy defeat at Bude, but came away rueing a host of missed chances that saw them drop another two points in their bid to stay clear of the relegation zone.

They started brightly enough, keeping Lanreath on the back foot for long periods with some flowing football only to be let down by the final pass or poor crosses.

Darren Smalley, Mike Curtis and Dan Pethick all went close and whilst Bere had the lion's share of possession, Lanreath still had their moments with Tony Rawlings making one or two routine saves and tipping another long-range effort onto the bar and away to safety.

Most of Bere's threat was coming from the left, but from one particular right wing cross, Nick Aplin picked out Darren Smalley who headed narrowly wide.

Bere took the lead on the half hour mark when Dan Pethick burst into the Lanreath box and evaded two tackles before crossing to the far post for Dan Follett to head home.

Dan Follett was then guilty of missing two excellent chances that could have put the game to bed before half time as Bere went into the break with only a slender 1-0 advantage.

Bere were slow to get going again in the second half, and, despite two well-struck efforts by Mike Curtis Lanreath were beginning to look more dangerous.

It was no surprise that Lanreath deservedly drew level, when, after a series of corners, Steve Climo set up Jeremy Blake for a close range finish.

Bere nearly retook the lead almost immediately when Dan Follett broke clear down the right but his pinpoint cross was headed over by Dan Pethick. Jeremy Blake had a great chance to put Lanreath ahead as he took advantage of a slip by Mark Wheeler and raced clear only to shoot tamely at Tony Rawlings and two minutes later, he received his marching orders after getting a straight red card for a two footed challenge on Lee Howells.

In the final 15 minutes, Bere laid siege to the Lanreath goal with Will Westlake, Dan Follett, Mike Curtis and Joe Hodgkiss all missing good chances and with the last kick of the game Mike Curtis saw his free kick well saved by the Lanreath keeper.

In the end it was a frustrating afternoon for Bere, with Lanreath perhaps deserving a share of the spoils for defending doggedly in the closing stages.