NEWQUAY manager Shaun Middleton says nothing has changed in the Peppermints’ bid for promotion to the Western League despite being frustrated at Burngullow on Saturday.

This result, alongside rivals Liskeard’s 3-1 win over Penzance, leaves Newquay three points behind with three games to play while the Blues have two matches left.

Things are so tight that goal difference might decide who goes up – and in that column Newquay are 15 goals clear of Liskeard.

After the game at Sticker, Middleton said: “It was disappointing not to win obviously but nothing changes – we need to win the next match, simple as that really.”

That match is at St Day this Wednesday night, 24 hours after Liskeard face Camelford at Lux Park, and Newquay travel to Penzance next Saturday for what is their game in hand.

Saturday’s encounter at Burngullow was ruined as a footballing spectacle by a biting, gusting wind and a playing surface which appeared harder than the concreted car park.

What would have been a good pass in decent conditions turned into an impossible race for the intended target, akin to a youngster chasing a beach ball along the seafront in a gale.

Shots at goal flew into the next field more often than not and crosses in the air were waved goodbye as they sailed towards Truro.

On top of all of that, referee Neil Hunnisett ignored three strong appeals for a Newquay penalty, one of which he said he did not see when the ball struck a Sticker arm to stop a shot heading for the net.

Full credit to Sticker though. Their defensive performance was as good as I have seen this season; I lost count of the number of Newquay shots in the second half which were charged down by home defenders.

Newquay had a fair few corners too as they threw everything at Sticker in the late stages but I’m not sure they would have scored if they had played until midnight.

They certainly missed suspended striking duo Louis Price and Jack Bray-Evans, even though Jacob Grange did everything possible to force a breakthrough with a tireless individual performance.

There was no lack of effort; but from the early stages in the game it felt like it was not going to be Newquay’s day.

Middleton said: “I thought we should have won the game but unfortunately we just couldn’t score.

“Considering the conditions I thought we played reasonably well and they defended admirably, so fair play to Sticker.”

Sticker manager Dan Nancarrow said: “It was an unreal defensive performance from the whole team. Everyone gave 100 per cent which is all I ask for.

“I always say, if you can’t win, don’t lose! And the boys deserved a point for the effort they gave and the bravery in their defending.”

STICKER: Ethan Elwell, Harley Sims (Jack Ham, 25), Harvey Hann, Ewan Warren-Knight, Lewis Clapham, Fin Nancarrow, Sol Wilson, Rich Edworthy, Tom Guest, Connor Cooke, Haiden Chapman. Subs not used: Jamie Gilbert, Howie Evans (gk).

NEWQUAY: Brodie Cole, Jamie Edlin, Tom Moxham, Cam Turner, Harry Downing, Ross Fallens, Tom Shepherd, Aaron Dilley, Callam McOnie, Jacob Grange, Alex Cole (Phil Lowry 66). Subs not used: Johan Allen, Dan Carne, Lucas Potts.

Men of the Match. Sticker – Harvey Hann; Newquay – Jacob Grange.