BACKS coach Jon Sanchez admitted Bournemouth had departed Newton Abbot feeling "a bit robbed" having suffered a last-gasp 18-17 defeat.

Lions were never behind in the National Three South West clash until the closing moments, when Kyle Browne forced his way over against the 13-man visitors.

It was a demoralising end to the contest to Rackerhayes and while disappointed to be denied victory, Sanchez insisted there were plenty of positives to take.

He told the Daily Echo: "Having been in the lead all game, we felt a bit robbed to lose in injury time. But sometimes that's how it goes.

"We had a lot of the ball in the first half. We said we wanted a 15-point lead at half-time and we didn't quite have that as we didn't finish off all our possession.

"It was a good, solid performance but we left a few points out there and I think all the boys would agree with me on that.

"Going 17-3 up in the second half, we felt it was time to push on and go for the five-pointer. We were always in control and should not have lost.

"But me and Will (Croker, head coach) took a lot of positives from the game. We know what we need to get right to ensure we are winning these games instead of losing them by fine margins.

"We are a side in development with a good amount of potential."

Bournemouth seized the initiative early on when flanker Jack Hennings intercepted in midfield and galloped 40 metres to score under the posts.

Grant Hancox maintained his exemplary record off the tee this season by slotting an easy conversion and the visitors led 7-0 with a quarter of an hour played.

Home fly-half Rob Avery-Wright pegging Lions back with a penalty just four minutes later and Hennings and Alex Everett-Bolter subsequently failed to hold on to the ball with the line at their mercy.

However, Bournemouth soon found their way over when the ball was flung out to winger Wyn Roberts, whose pace carried him over in the corner for an unconverted score.

Avery-Wright missed a relatively straightforward penalty late in the half, resulting in a 12-3 lead for the away side at the break.

Lions appeared to be on course for victory when experienced campaigner Sam Hardcastle crossed in the corner a matter of moments after the second period had begun. Hancox missed the kick into the wind.

Four minutes later, Newton began their comeback. An irresistible move down the right saw scrum-half Luke Kenny cross the whitewash, with Avery-Wright adding the extras.

Another penalty reduced to four points Newton's arrears and after Hardcastle was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on and captain Alan Manning forced off with a rib injury, Lions were up against it.

And with the clock ticking down, full-back Browne attacked down the short side to touch down and snatch an unlikely victory.

Lions: Hancox, Edwards, Everett-Bolter, Chislett, Roberts, Boyd, Hardcastle, Spikings, Manning, Firetto, Treloar, Kenneally, Hennings, McDonald, Rees. Replacements: Davies, Levey, Richardson.