THE Seasiders ran title-chasing Elburton Villa close before going down 3-1 to the Devonians at Broadclose Park.

On a day where a two-minute silence was held for former player and Morwenstow legend Robin Francis, the game lived up to the occasion, with both sides netting inside six minutes.

Bude had the first chance inside 60 seconds when Harrison Swatton was played through by Archie Perrott’s brilliant ball, but he just put his shot wide.

The visitors were ahead on four minutes when Adam MacPherson nodded in a corner, but within a minute it was all square as skipper Ewan Reeves headed in Swatton’s ball in.

In the 16th minute Elburton got their noses back in front again, yet another corner which came through a host of players before striking the unfortunate Perrott and finding its way in.

Striker Tornado Bello twice went close after good work from the imPressive Swatton, while at the other end, Villa hit both the crossbar and post before the break as well as forcing Ty Rowe into a good save with his feet.

The hosts thought they were level when Bello converted Harry Hopcroft’s pass, only for the offside flag to go up, while home debutant Piran Friend shot narrowly wide after taking a pass from Billy Hopcroft.

Villa struck the woodwork twice more as tensions threatened to boil over, which saw plenty of cautions.

But Elburton grabbed their third via Connor Rush in stoppage-time as they moved to within three points of leaders Liskeard.

Bude are back in action on Saturday when they visit mid-table Millbrook (3pm).

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Finn Reeve, Ewan Reeves (capt), Harry Hopcroft, Baga Mariko, Billy Hopcroft, Jake Woodland, Archie Perrott, Tornado Bello, Harrison Swatton, Piran Friend. Subs: Aaron Hart, Jake Gilbert, James Wheeler, Dylan Morgan, Jamie Gorst.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Harrison Swatton.