PROUD boss Will Croker was left to rue two key decisions after Bournemouth were edged out 13-11 at National Three South West big-hitters Camborne.

Sam Hardcastle was denied a try by referee Adam Wookey in the latter stages of the first half and the official later deemed home winger Ben Drew had satisfactorily grounded the ball despite opinions to the contrary from some quarters.

Croker admitted the decisions had proved pivotal in the final reckoning but praised his players for a titanic effort in west Cornwall.

The head coach told the Daily Echo: "We had a try disallowed which I think would have been given in any other game. The referee felt there wasn't sufficient downward pressure but Sam was absolutely adamant he had put his hand on top of the ball.

"At that particular moment in the game, a try would have been a huge factor.

"I couldn't see from where I was but on their score, the people around it were adamant their chap had dropped it over the line.

"I can't comment on that because I didn't see it but it goes to show how fine the margins are. If the referee had reversed those decisions, all of a sudden we've won the game quite comfortably."

Croker added: "We probably deserved the win. Their coaching staff said we were the best team that had been to their ground in a number of years.

"They had averaged 47 points a game at home this season and they scored 13 so that's probably the best indicator of how well we played.

"The defence was ferocious and tenacious from one to 18 and we never allowed them to play or get into their structure.

"I couldn't have been prouder. A performance like that after a long journey shows the mettle of the team. It almost felt like a win."

The teams were level at the break with David Mankee and Lions full-back Grant Hancox kicking a penalty apiece, with Hardcastle seeing his effort ruled out after Wookey deemed the scrum-half had not satisfactorily grounded the ball.

Mankee added another penalty after the restart, this time from considerable range, before Lions trio Charlie Levey, Luke Richardson and debutant Dan Stewart were thrust into the fray.

Camborne extended to 11-3 their lead when Drew reached over his head to touch down, referee Wookey ruling the ball had not been dropped in the act. Mankee added the extras – via the far post – from the touchline.

Hancox reduced the advantage with another penalty with 15 minutes to go and Hardcastle then teamed up with Wyn Roberts following a five-metre scrum to record Bournemouth's first try.

However, Hancox pulled the resultant kick across the face of the posts and Camborne held their two-point lead until the final whistle.

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