Lilywhites return to winning ways
Porthleven had two players pull out on the morning of the match and their cause was not helped when they had goalkeeper Richard Pennington carried off on the half hour and then lost skipper Chris Strike at the end of the first half.
Joint-manager John Dent, who was in sole command due to the absence of Kevin Richards, was forced to put outfield player Neil Rollinson in goal which left his team, who were already two goals adrift, with a mountain to climb.
St Austell had taken a second minute lead when Matt Parson gained possession in midfield to send Mike Body racing through the middle of the Port defence before firing a rising drive into the top left-hand corner of the Port goal from 12 yards.
Liam Dingle then had a good chance to double the lead only to shoot wide from eight yards, but it was only a short reprieve for the visitors as St Austell made it 2-0 on 13 minutes.
Body threaded the ball into Will Tinsley but the Port defence's attempts to clear the danger failed leaving the Lillywhites' midfielder to continue his rich vein of scoring form by firing past Pennington from 10 yards.
To their credit Port came back at their hosts with Jamie Thompson firing his 20-yard free-kick just wide before Ben Medlin sent his powerful header straight at Gary Penhaligon.
St Austell also had a great chance to add to their tally when Penhaligon's goal kick cleared the Port defence to put in Body but he fired wide of an open goal from eight yards.
Porthleven started the second half well with Andy Cowper missing two good chances before St Austell came back to turn on the pressure.
Body had a couple of chances slip away before the home side finally completed their scoring four minutes from time when Adam Bromley's free-kick found Dan Lean heading home from 10 yards.
The Lilywhites will now have to build on this result if they are to move back amongst the leading clubs in the division.
They face a tough trip this Saturday when they travel to Vospers Oak Villa.
Porthleven will be hoping to get their walking wounded back in time for their home game against sixth-placed Plymstock United.
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