A GOAL inside the first minute for the hosts was the difference at Bickland Park on Saturday afternoon.

Bude made the long trip to Falmouth off the back of their victory over Shamwickshire Rovers in the Torridge Cup, but continue the momentum.

The hosts’ goal was a bizarre affair as the referee adjudged visiting keeper Ty Rowe to have collected a cross outside of the box, and from the resulting ball in, Jak Davies bundled the ball over the line.

Bude stuttered for the rest of the half despite having a big claim for a penalty against Harry Hopcroft waved away, while the same player also shot narrowly wide.

Bude needed a far better second half and came to life.

Hopcroft’s free-kicks weren’t quite on the money as normal, but they were inches away from a leveller when Harrison Swatton’s 20-yard drive hit the underside of the bar and stayed out.

The visitors were incensed when Ryan Vanstone was pole-axed around the head by the keeper, but only received a yellow from the referee who soon had to go off injured.

Bude continued to press for a leveller, but were thankful to sub Ryan Hodge for clearing an effort off the line as Falmouth ran out 1-0 winners.

Boss Steve Hackett said: We felt that we had plenty of time left to work our way back into the game, we had great spells of possession but they were well organised and we couldn’t create any real clear cut chances in the first half apart from a penalty claim and a couple of direct free-kicks from Harry and his other chance which he struck wide of the left post.

“Second half we were on the front foot more and Harrison rattled the underside of the bar, Harry again with a couple of free-kicks and a couple shots from distance.

“But they were very rigid and kept their shape well to keep us from really damaging them. We felt it was just a matter of time before we found the breakthrough but the referee wasn’t letting the game flow and the stop starts didn’t help us as they could rest and calm it down again.

“But overall, it wasn't a great showing from us and a draw probably would have been a fair result. Fair play to Falmouth who took their chance when it came and did a great job of keeping us at arm’s length.

“There were some decent individual performances from Ewan (Reeves), Baga (Mariko) and Harrison (Swatton), but to no avail.”

Bude are back in action on Tuesday, October 7 when they visit Callington Town (7.30pm).

Hackett concluded: “The rest gives us a rest and some valuable time for a couple lads to overcome knocks and injury.

“We know that Callington is always a tough place to go, they don’t concede too many goals and are another organised side with good individual players. But if we keep up our energy levels and play to the best we can, we are more than a match for any side in this division.”

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Jamie Gorst, James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (capt), Finn Reeve; Jake Woodland, Baga Mariko, Harry Hopcroft; Harrison Swatton, Ryan Vanstone. Dylan Morgan. Subs: Ryan Hodge, Ben Trenaman.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Ewan Reeves.