PORTHLEVEN'S promising start to the season hit the buffers on Saturday as they collapsed to a 3-0 defeat at Holsworthy.

A brace from Dom Abbott and controversial penalty from Adam Smith gave the hosts all three points in the South West Peninsula League West clash.

The Fishermen travelled over the Cornwall/Devon border without regular goalkeeper James Wignell, who is on holiday, and with Matt Quick also unavailable, Scott Kellow was forced to go between the sticks.

He also took the skipper's armband again with Dan Greet still out injured while left back Jowan Shainberg has returned to Exeter University.

In a fairly forgettable game, it was Port who had the first sight on goal with George Molcher's effort being well saved by home goalie Darren Rose.

Kellow was also called into action and saved a shot from Smith with his feet and also prevented James Dart's low drive from finding the net.

Rose made another stop from a chance put on target by Freddie Williams and it was looking more and more like it would not be Port's day.

Any suspicions of this were given grounds for reason when in the 42nd minute, a penalty was awarded against Tom Heywood for a foul on Abbott in a challenge which looked 50/50.

Smith stepped up to converted the spot kick and just two minutes later, Port failed to clear a corner and Abbott's shot found it's way through the defence and in.

The second half was duller than the first with Port's best chance coming five minutes from time as Ben Bassett saw his lob get cleared off the line by Elliott Collier.

Abbott completed the scoring moments later when he nicked the ball off Heywood and held off the defender before squeezing the ball past Kellow at the near post.

On Saturday, Port travel back to Devon to face Ivybridge Town in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round.

PORTHLEVEN: S Kellow (c), Orchard (Hosking 60), J Greet, Bassett, Heywood, Williams, Molcher, Best (Watkins 62), Trathen, McCardie, Liam Hunter.