HOLSWORTHY boss Kevin Squire praised his players after the Magpies came within minutes of earning an impressive draw at South West Peninsula League Premier West leaders Liskeard Athletic on Tuesday night.

The Magpies – who had seen off fourth-placed Callington Town on Saturday, arrived at Lux Park without three of their best players in midfielder Rory Simmons and attackers Craig Duff and Ben Sharpe, but for the most part kept the Blues’ talented front line quiet.

However, just as it looked like they’d head home with a point in their quest for the top six, sub George Newton headed home Max Gilbert’s hotly-disputed free-kick with 89 minutes on the clock.

A disappointed, yet proud Squire, said: “They had a lot of the ball and were really good with their midfield interactions and quite fluid, but generally we did really well.

“Ryan’s made a couple of decent saves in the first half, but second half, even though they had even more of the ball, there weren’t too many chances.”

He continued: “As for the goal, to lose to what my opinion was a contentious decision was really disappointing.

“That said, from the free-kick we should have done better. We didn’t pick up the man with the first contact and it allowed them a free header from which they’ve scored from.

“Although I was frustrated with the officials, I was very proud of the boys but gutted for them that their hard work came to nothing.”

Thankfully for Squire and his squad, they have less than 72 hours to dwell on the outcome before they welcome neighbours Bude who arrive at Upcott Field knowing that a win would move them level with the Magpies.

Squire concluded: “We’ll go again on Friday morning and hopefully it’ll be a much better game than Boxing Day which was a rather dour affair.

“We’ll see who’s available, put a plan together and try to pick up the three points.”