WILL Croker admitted he had been stunned into silence by Bournemouth's draw with comeback kings Camborne and labelled the Chapel Gate thriller a "Rocky-esque slugfest".

Lions held a 27-5 lead over their National Three South West promotion rivals at the break but in an extraordinary turn of events, the Cornwall side battled back to earn a 33-33 draw.

The result dealt a substantial body blow to Bournemouth's hopes of securing the division's play-off spot and head coach Croker revealed the final outcome had felt like a defeat.

Describing his emotions following the final whistle, Croker told the Daily Echo: "It was frustrating, disappointing and exhausting.

"We didn't really develop an enormous amount in the first half – we counter-attacked very well and were able to capitalise on the few opportunities we had. We got to half-time and I felt we had only been at about 60 to 70 per cent, yet had a nice lead.

"But they are a good team and were always going to have a period in the game when they came back into it.

"They were able to capitalise during the period they had and that really buoyed them. We then went into this Rocky-esque slugfest where we were attacking each other one after the other.

"It was one of those games where it had a horrible sense of inevitability hovering over it. I was incredibly disappointed. I think I took the result worse than I have taken any of our defeats this season.

"Not only had we got ourselves into a position to win against a team in third place, but the fact they got a try-scoring bonus point and we didn't made it feel like we had lost.

"I don't take defeat well at the best of times but after that result I don't think I was able to muster a word for about four or five hours."

Lions got off to a flying start when a Camborne player was yellow-carded and Grant Hancox kicked the resultant penalty. Adam Davies and Wyn Roberts then touched down in quick succession, with both scores converted by Hancox, giving the hosts a 17-0 lead.

Hancox hit the post with a penalty attempt before the visiting scrum-half crossed in the corner.

Back came Bournemouth and Sam Hardcastle set up Adam Davies for his second of the day, the extras added by Hancox.

When the away side suffered their second sin bin of the half, full-back Hancox kicked the goal and Bournemouth appeared well in control.

However, two converted tries early in the second half saw Camborne battle their way to within eight points.

Hancox slotted a penalty and missed another, either side of a further converted score by the resurgent visitors.

Adam Davies's drop goal appeared to have done the trick but a Hancox penalty miss and a final converted try for Camborne saw honours end even.

Lions: Hancox, Stewart, Gleadowe, Chislett, Roberts, A Davies, Hardcastle, M Davies, Richardson, Firetto, Treloar, Kenneally, Hennings, Manning, Rees. Replacements: Levey, McDonald, Sutherland.