Although leading twice, Cornwall’s County Youth Under-18s ended up going down to a 3-2 defeat against their rivals across the Tamar from Devon.

Manager Glynn Hooper had to make some enforced changes to the squad that beat Guernsey last month with Dario Pisano, Harry Clarke and Will Drew all injured, while an unwell Kieran Parker had to pull out a couple of days before the fixture.

It meant goalscoring hero from the last match, Ed Harrison, coming in at right back; Brodie Mitchell getting his chance in a wide midfield role alongside previously injured Connor Rhodes, and positional changes for Harry Ahearn (into midfield) and Charlie Hambly (back into the centre of defence).

The first real chance of the game fell to Devon’s Charlie Hardcastle on 15 minutes who missed from close range when he somehow found himself free at the back post. It allowed Cornwall to take the lead three minutes later through a Kyle Marks penalty, after Brodie Mitchell’s weaving run finished with him being upended in the penalty area.

20 minutes later and it was Devon's turn to score from the spot when Bradley Kelly was fouled and Alex Gibbins levelled.

Cornwall went in 2-1 up at the interval however after striker Marks notched his second of the afternoon. The lively front runner heading home after Tyler Tonkin had done well to knock the ball back across the six yard box.

The second half however belonged to Devon. This opening match in the South West Counties Championship was all square after 50 minutes, thanks to a quality goal from Charlie Hardcastle, coming direct from a 20 yard free-kick.

On the hour, Gibbins watched a glancing header go narrowly wide, before Nathan Antat won the game for the home side on 72 minutes. The Devon skipper let rip with a long distance shot, giving substitute keeper Dom Angove, taking over from the injured Ross Atkinson, no chance.

Cornwall's next match is in three weeks time, away to Gloucestershire in the Second Round of the FA County Youth Cup.

Cornwall team: 1 Ross Atkinson (Helston Athletic), 2 Ed Harrison (Probus), 3 George Roberts (Wadebridge Tn), 4 Harry Ahearn, 5 Dan Marks (Sticker) (c), 6 Charlie Hambly (Camelford), 7 Luke Tripconey (Falmouth Tn), 8 Connor Rhodes (Falmouth Tn), 9 Kyle Marks (Holman SC), 10 Tyler Tonkin (Penzance), 11 Brodie Mitchell (Godolphin Atlantic)

12 James Heywood (Camelford), 14 Matt Buchan (Helston Ath), 15 Ollie Walker, 17 Jack Farbrother (Camelford)