BOURNEMOUTH let a sizeable half-time lead slip for the second time in as many home games as they succumbed to defeat to Newton Abbot.

Will Croker’s side last month drew 33-33 with National Three South West high-fliers Camborne having held a 27-5 lead at the break.

And it was a similar – but more costly – story this time out after a 25-7 interval lead turned into a disappointing 26-25 loss.

Lions skipper Alan Manning took over from the injured Luca Firetto at tighthead prop so Pete Roberts made his full debut at openside flanker.

Matters started trickily when scrum-half Sam Hardcastle went off with a head injury, forcing Grant Hancox to move to scrum-half and replacement Robbie Boyd and Adam Davies to share fly-half and full-back duties.

However, Bournemouth were soon in front. Freddie Gleadowe made a half-break and offloaded to Davies, who found Jack Hennings to run in from 15 metres. Hancox kicked the goal.

The Newton response was swift and a couple of Luke Kenny darts paid dividends with a try which was superbly converted by full-back Rob Avery-Wright.

Back came Lions through a couple of Hancox penalties and the hosts were six points up.

Good work from Scott Chislett allowed Croker’s troops to further extend their lead, Alex Everett-Bolter touching down for the 10th time this season, with Hancox off-target from the tee.

Toby Kenneally and Manning then combined to set up another chance and the latter’s pass allowed Gleadowe to race in. Hancox added the extras.

Following the interval, the visitors had a try ruled out for a double movement but the breakthrough was not long in coming.

Lions were twice penalised for standing up in the scrum and on the second occasion referee Owen Venables awarded a penalty try, allowing Avery-Wright to complete the formalities from in front of the posts.

The lead was reduced to just six points when Newton's Kyle Browne crossed in the corner. Avery-Wright missed the conversion and a subsequent penalty but, ultimately, it mattered not.

Bournemouth were reduced to 14 men when Joe Rees was yellow-carded, before Davies’s drop goal attempt sailed wide.

An overthrown line-out allowed Newton to seize possession and moments later they had scored down the right. Avery-Wright’s conversion put the away side in the lead for the first time, an advantage they held until the end.

Lions: Hancox, Everett-Bolter, Gleadowe, Chislett, Roberts, A Davies, Hardcastle, M Davies, Richardson, Manning, Treloar, Kenneally, Hennings, Roberts, Rees. Replacements: Bennett, Boyd, Burns.