MANAGER Shaun Middleton was left to reflect on what might have been for Newquay after suffering defeat in their first game at Western League level at Homers Heath.

The Peppermints led at the halfway stage thanks to a superb 16th minute strike from Jack Bray-Evans and had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half.

But Jacob Grange, having done all the hard work, chose to shoot from a tight angle instead of pulling the ball back across the six-yard line where two or three Newquay players were waiting for a tap-in.

Three minutes later Buckland were level thanks to a Jared Lewington penalty and then took a firm grip on the contest as Sean Thomson scored a screamer from 25 yards to put them ahead in the 66th minute and Luke Forward rounded things off in the last minute, tapping in a Phil Mendonca cross.

Middleton said: “I thought the boys acquitted themselves well. We were superb first half and played with real hunger, speed and quality.

“We had a gameplan that went perfectly for 60 minutes, but unfortunately gave away a penalty that seemed to swing the game in Buckland’s favour.

“After that we found it hard to get any real purchase in the game and they pushed us back.”

He added: “They are very good team that I feel will definitely be in the mix at the top end, so we have to take away the positives.

“I felt we could have got that second goal at 1-0 and then it would have been a tough way back for them, but I suppose in this league against teams like Buckland, that’s the margins.

“Overall I was gutted not to get anything because I feel the lads deserved it, but was happy with how the lads grafted and performed for an hour.

“We had two 16-year-old starters and many lads making their Western League debuts, so we must take the positives and kick on.

“Thanks to all the Newquay contingent who made the trip; we very much appreciate the support.”

The visitors had started the game positively and when Aaron Dilley played Bray-Evans through in the 15th minute.

But having knocked the ball past keeper Jordan Duffey, he and the Newquay supporters held their breath as the ball rolled inches wide of the post.

Fortunately Bray-Evans only had to wait a further minute before another golden opportunity arrived and this time he struck a fierce left foot shot past Duffey into the net.

Newquay were certainly the better side in the first half but Buckland, no doubt buoyed by a half-time talking to by new manager Matt Cusack, went on to dominate the second stanza.

With Mendonca in excellent form on the left, the home side were able to exploit spaces down the flank and they would have scored more goals but for some heroics from Newquay keeper Brodie Cole.

Buckland deserved the points – but as Middleton suggested, the margins between victory and defeat are fine.

NEWQUAY: Brodie Cole; Jamie Edlin, Johan Allen, Aaron Dilley (Dan Carne, 55), Harry Downing (capt), Ross Fallens (Phil Lowry, 84), Callam McOnie, Cam Turner, Jack Bray-Evans, Jacob Grange (Louis Price, 73), Rhys Simmonds (Tom Shepherd, 63). Sub not used: Ollie Butterworth.

Newquay man-of-the-match: Brodie Cole.