East Cornwall premier

St Stephen's 1

Bere Alston United 1

BERE Alston went into this game without four first team regulars and came away with a point but rueing a series of missed chances that should have seen them win comfortably.

Manager Kevin Taylor gave a debut to ex -Argyle youngster Warren Daw, alongside Will Westlake, and despite his tender years he soon began to display his class against a physical and more experienced St Stephen's side.

It was from one of Daw's many through balls that Darren Smalley, playing his first full 90 minutes since breaking his leg in October, raced clear before smashing an unstoppable effort past the helpless St Stephen keeper to give Bere a deserved early lead.

Then man of the match Warren Daw sent Mark Claridge clear down the left and his driven cross was stabbed wide by Marcus Pethick with the goal gaping.

Darren Smalley and Dan Follett both missed good chances to increase Bere's lead and they were made to pay for wasting those opportunities when Ryan Stephens headed the home side level from a Tim Hooper corner.

A minute before the break Bere lost centre half Kyle Robinson after a sickening clash of heads and the referee sensibly blew for half time.

Bere began the second half as lively as they had done in the first and Darren Smalley should have restored their lead but dragged his shot wide when well placed Jason Clancy thought he had scored Bere's second, but his close range header was ruled out as Dan Follett was adjudged to have been offside.

Darren Smalley was again unlucky when he lobbed the keeper only to see his goal bound effort land the wrong side of the crossbar and Bere realised it wasn't going to be their day five minutes later, when the St Stephen's keeper Matthew Grigg raced off his line to meet the onrushing Marcus Pethick, slipped on the edge of his penalty area, but still managed to prod the ball to safety.

St Stephen's only threat was from a series of long balls and corners that were well dealt with by Craig Howells and Bere finished the game disappointed that they had not secured the three points. Shortly after the final whistle Bere received the good news that Kyle Robinson's injury was not as bad as first feared, although he did require 12 stitches and no doubt had a king sized headache.

• In their next match Bere Alston are at home on Saturday to Biscovey. kick-off 2.30pm.