TWO goals conceded in four minutes either side of half-time condemned relegation-threatened St Blazey to defeat against leaders Portishead at a very windy Blaise Park on Saturday.

All looked to be on the up for the Green and Blacks when Tom Hensman’s 37th minute equaliser cancelled out Portishead’s 11th minute opener from Jay Murray.

But Mitch Osmond restored the visitors’ advantage in first half injury-time and Dean Griffiths made it 3-1 two minutes after the restart to put Portishead firmly in control.

It was not a result, or a performance, which went down well with manager Mark Carter.

He said: “Today was probably one of the worst games of football I’ve watched. We started slowly and showed too much respect to Portishead.

“Saying that they’ve taken the lead when in my opinion there has been an obvious foul on the build-up. After that we settled down and established ourselves within the game.

“We deservedly pulled ourselves level when Tom cut inside and fired into the bottom corner.

“Right on half-time we failed to clear our lines and at the worst time Portishead took the lead.

“The next goal was crucial. Unfortunately again within the first five minutes we conceded, after an incorrectly awarded throw in was cleared only to bounce off the striker’s shin and find its way into the bottom corner.

“From that point on Portishead used their experience to control the tempo and direction of the game.”

Blazey, who visit Wellington on Saturday, remain two points clear of the second relegation spot occupied by Ilfracombe with a game in-hand.

ST BLAZEY: Kyle Moore, Mark Wilson, Tom Strike, Charlie Hambly (capt), Tom Cavanagh, Jordan Bentley, Tom Hensman, Sam Clifton, Charlie Menear, Callum McGhee, George Newton. Subs: Hayden Black, Noah Maund, Jacob Rowe, Brad Rowe, Harley Deards.