NEWQUAY remain on course for the play-offs after seeing off Ivybridge Town 3-2 at Mount Wise on Saturday.

The Peppermints led inside 13 minutes through man-of-the-match Jacob Grange, but after the visitors levelled from the penalty-spot, Rhys Simmonds and Phil Lowry’s stunner gave the hosts a 3-1 lead shortly before half-tme.

However, centre-half Joe Cook reduced the arrears soon after, and although the home side had chances to go further clear after the break, they held on to send the majority of the 452-strong crowd home happy.

Newquay boss Shaun Middleton made two changes from the side that won 5-1 at Helston Athletic on Boxing Day as Ross Fallens replaced Harry Richards in midfield, while Louis Price’s illness allowed Jack Bray-Evans to start up front.

The home side were the better side throughout and took the lead with a classic bit of route-one football as a diagonal from goalkeeper Brodie Cole over the left-back allowed Grange to advance towards goal before sliding a finish under Jason Peters.

Ivybridge are often a tough nut to crack and were level on 26 minutes as Ryan Smith was brought down by Fallens, allowing Kai Burrell to slot the spot-kick in from 12 yards.

However, Newquay, who had scored eight goals in their last two outings and were looking for a sixth win out of seven in all competitions, were back in front on 32 minutes when Simmonds tucked home Grange’s cross.

But the goal of the afternoon arrived on 43 minutes as Lowry fired in from 20 yards.

Back came Ivybridge with Cook forcing the ball over the line from close-range as they headed into the break just a goal behind.

The wind made the second half far from a thriller to watch, but Newquay still managed to create chances with Bray-Evans and sub Callam McOnie either working the keeper or just failing to find the target.

Boss Shaun Middleton felt the Cornishmen showed both sides of their game as they sit five points behind Buckland Athletic, who occupy the final play-off spot, with four games in-hand.

He said: “First half I thought we were superb and moved the ball well.

“Unfortunately we gave away two sloppy goals, but we were completely dominant and looked very creative.

“After the break we showed another side to our game in being resilient and we saw the game out for another vital three points.”

He also reserved praise for three of his starters, adding: “Jack Bray-Evans did a great job for us up front, Lucas Potts had another fine game in midfield, but our man-of-the-match was Jacob Grange who was full of energy and looked really dangerous in attack.”

Newquay are back in league action on Saturday when they make the long trip to fellow new boys to the league, Bradford Town, a side they defeated at Mount Wise earlier in the season.

Middleton concluded: “It’ll be a tough game up there and it’s also probably our longest trip of the season.

“But the boys are feeling confident and hopefully we can come away with another victory.”

NEWQUAY: Brodie Cole; Jamie Edlin, Harry Downing (capt), Cam Turner, Tom Moxham; Ross Fallens (Dan Carne, 88), Lucas Potts; Jacob Grange, Phil Lowry (Callam McOnie, 67), Rhys Simmonds; Jack Bray-Evans. Subs not used: Ollie Butterworth, Harry Richards, Alex Cole.

Peppermints’ man-of-the-match: Jacob Grange.