Liskeard manager Darren Edwards had every right to be proud of his team after they had pushed reigning Premier Division champions and runaway League leaders to the wire at Homers Heath.

Said Edwards: 'We were very unlucky as they scored early in the game and barely had another shot on target until the second half.

'We had about four efforts on goal and didn't score; they had two on target and scored one so it's absolutely gutting because I felt we deserved a win.

'We did the best we could but we came away with nothing – and even had a player harshly sent off,' added Edwards, referring to skipper Matt Godfree's dismissal.

Edwards also included new signing Sam Cooper in a lone role up front, saying: 'He was immense for us but we must thank Blazey for their co-operation in allowing him to sign.'

After an even first 25 minutes, it was Buckland who grabbed the vital goal when Lucas Burgess' pin-point left-wing cross was headed home by Mike Booth.

Liskeard hit back, Chris Maskell's half-volley flying just wide wide on the half-hour, before the recent signing from Elburton pulled the ball back for Richard Maddison, whose shot was blocked on the line.

Buckland came at the Blues in the early stages

of the second period with Burgess firing just wide,

before Danny Gaze's cross fell to Shane Gill, but the diminutive striker scooped a good chance over the bar from three yards.

Liskeard were left to see out the final ten minutes a man down after Godfree's harsh dismissal, but they did so with few alarms.