AFTER three wins in a row, Falmouth went into Saturday’s Cornwall/Devon League tie at Honiton with high hopes of a fourth successive victory.

This would not prove to be the case though as the side who sit two places below the Eagles in the table just nudged ahead in a scrappy affair which ended 11-9 in their favour.

The hosts started the day knowing a win could move them out of the relegation battle for good depending on how Old Plymouthian & Mannamedian got on at home to Crediton.

It took them until the last few minutes to secure a crucial four points though, with a defensive mistake by Falmouth giving Ben Webber the chance to kick home a penalty.

A losing bonus point was earned by Falmouth in the process, but they travelled back over the Tamar knowing another three were in their grasps.

Fly-half and captain Justyn Irons sent the visitors into a 6-0 lead during the first half with two penalties before Webber halved the deficit.

Then the Lacemen took the lead just before the break when the ball was worked from a line-out into the midfield where Stefan Archer exposed a gap in the defence to snipe home from 25m.

Webber missed the conversion and after the interval, Irons restored Falmouth’s lead with his third penalty strike of the day.

With just a point in it, the last few minutes were always going to be nervy and it proved too much for the away side to handle.

From a scrum near their own line, the Eagles defence were desperate to stop the attack and get the ball back up the field.

However, this led to a penalty going against them as they went offside and Webber kept his composure to bag the victory and at the same time ensure the side's safety with Crediton stuffing OPM 59-0.

Following this disappointment Falmouth will be looking to pick themselves up again with a win and have the perfect opportunity to do so on Saturday as lowly Liskeard-Looe come to the Recreation Ground.