HOLSWORTHY continue to look over their shoulder in the bid for survival after a disappointing home defeat to second bottom Penzance.

In a battle of the Magpies it was the West Cornwall side who took a first-half lead through Paul Robinson. With so much at stake, chances were at a premium. However, the game was decided in the second-half through Mark Vercesi’s penalty.

Liam Dart’s men are still seven points above the bottom two but Penzance have three games in-hand, meaning a nervous end to the season awaits.

It was a case of ‘must not lose’ for struggling Bude at rock-bottom Vospers Oak Villa and they did just that, romping to a 5-0 win with Billy Hopcroft netting a hat-trick.

Town were 2-0 up at the break through Wes Pugh and Hopcroft’s first of the afternoon, which was a penalty. With nothing to lose, the home side started brightly after the break but were 3-0 down when Hopcroft lashed the ball in after an excellent team move.

Hopcroft added a fourth before setting up his brother, Harry, to improve their goal difference ahead of next week’s long trip to sixth-placed Mousehole.