RIO Colgrave assisted one and scored the other as Bude Town made it three wins on the spin with a 2-0 victory at Launceston on Saturday.

Home boss Simon Minett could take encouragement from a battling performance which could easily have earned a point, although they did need an excellent outing from goalkeeper Howie Evans upon his return from travelling.

Second bottom Launceston went into the game off the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers St Day in midweek, while Bude had won at St Day and Wendron after their Good Friday reversal at Bude.

The visitors got off to a bad start as midfielder Harrison Swatton turned his ankle moments after shooting over from Finn Reeve’s free-kick, and was replaced by Colgrave after just four minutes.

Both teams started quickly without much quality, although on 19 minutes it needed a brilliant diving block from Bude centre-half Harry Hopcroft to deny Alfie Fothergill getting on the end of Lee Robinson’s throughball.

Shortly after, Evans saved well with his feet from Piran Friend, before Launceston’s first big chance arrived on 25 minutes.

A driven ball into the box was flicked on by Joe Moynan to centre-half partner Archie Wall whose shot from 15 yards struck the outside of the post.

Colgrave soon had a long-range effort beaten away by Evans who then saved well on 33 minutes from Billy Hopcroft after right-back Jake Woodland’s ball over the top sent him clear.

Bude eventually went in front three minutes before the break as a good bit of play ended with Colgrave’s cutback from the right being tapped in by winger Ollie Cleave.

Launceston responded again. After Kian Berry’s run from well inside his own half was superbly cut off by James Wheeler, the resulting corner ended with Ty Rowe making a brilliant save on to the post from Robinson who then watched on as a team-mate struck the outside of the goal frame from close range.

Although the hosts initially came out of the break the stronger, Bude had two good chances inside the first 10 minutes to double their lead as Billy Hopcroft dragged a shot wide from 20 yards, moments before Evans was out quickly to deny Colgrave who was in with just the keeper to beat.

Wall headed just wide from a Will Gilbert free-kick as Launceston searched for a leveller, while late on a superb ball across the six-yard box from Berry was inexplicably allowed to go right through.

Then, in the second minute of injury-time, Bude wrapped up the three points with a fine team goal.

Sub Oska Holmes played the ball inside to Billy Hopcroft who sent man-of-the-match Nathan Colley away down the right. He played the ball across the six-yard-box and Colgrave bundled it in to the delight of his team-mates and Town’s healthy away following.

Bude could still end the season seventh if they win their final match of the season on Tuesday night at runners-up Elburton Villa (7.30pm), while the Clarets finish their campaign at home to Sticker on Saturday (3pm).

LAUNCESTON: Howie Evans; George Durham, Joe Moynan (Alex Parnell, 59), Archie Wall, Taylor Davey; Sam Tattersall (capt), Will Gilbert, Jack Stephens; Kian Berry, Lee Robinson, Alfie Fothergill. Sub unused: Ollie Sidey (gk).

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Jake Woodland, Harry Hopcroft, James Wheeler, Finn Reeve (capt); Nathan Colley, Dylan Morgan; Ollie Cleave (Aaron Hart, 60), Harrison Swatton (Rio Colgrave, 4), Piran Friend (Oska Holmes, 74); Billy Hopcroft (Josh Pearce, 93). Sub not used: Liam Dart.

Men-of-the-match: Launceston – Howie Evans; Bude Town – Nathan Colley.