BUDE Town missed all three penalties in the shootout as the Seasiders were knocked out of the St Piran League Cup at Illogan RBL on Saturday, after the quarter-final tie had finished 3-3 after extra time.

The Seasiders won Group Two East to set up a clash with the Redruth-based club, but surprisingly were made to play it away from home as per the competition rules.

The visitors were ahead inside a minute at Oxland Parc as Wes Pugh fired in from 25 yards after Billy Hopcroft’s shot was blocked.

Hopcroft was a constant menace in behind, and on the quarter-hour he was taken out inside the box, allowing his brother Harry to make it 2-0 from the spot.

Illogan pulled one back before the break as Tom Coles could only parry a shot, allowing Anton Oliver to pounce.

The second half saw the West Cornwall side continue to fight back.

An incredible run from their right-back from his own box ended with his cross being deflected in by Matty Roberts.

Shortly after the hour it was 3-2 as a one-two inside the box was fired home by Aaron Myers.

However, Bude continued to battle and it was Billy Hopcroft who grabbed an equaliser with the last kick of the game, lobbing the keeper after a defender’s attempted header back was too short.

The Seasiders were reduced to ten men five minutes into the first half of extra-time when centre-half Lee Clarke was red carded for bringing down the striker as he bore in on goal.

To their credit, they defended stoutly to get through to penalties. And although Coles saved Barrie Wyatt’s first kick, the Hopcroft brothers and Josh Allen all missed their efforts to send Illogan into the semi-finals.

Bude manager Ben Potter was proud of his side, despite going out.

He said: “I was really pleased with how we dug in after going down to ten men.

“To take it to penalties was a great effort considering, but unfortunately we couldn’t nail our spot-kicks.

“Now we just wait to find out whether we’ve been successful in getting promotion into the Peninsula League.

“We’ve also put in planning permission for floodlights at the ground, so we’ll see what happens.”

Bude Town: Tom Coles; Liam Sandercock, Ben Potter, Lee Clarke, Liam McDonald; James Dart; Harry Dymond, Harry Hopcroft, Wes Pugh; Billy Hopcroft, Gary Clarke. Substitutes: Corey Sargent, Liam Powell, Josh Allen.