JOSH Down grabbed a late consolation but it was Penzance who won the battle of the Magpies at Holsworthy on Saturday afternoon.

Although the hosts missed a couple of good chance throughout the game, in the end it was the Cornish side who came away with three points as the Devonians slipped to seventh.

Holsworthy boss Kevin Squire made several changes from the side beaten 3-0 by leaders Liskeard Athletic a fortnight earlier which included Toby Martyn making a rare appearance, George Plumb make his first start for the first team and Gavin Carter return from suspension.

Rob Pearce saw an effort fumbled by Harry Salmon as Holsworthy started well, but after Charlie Willis pulled a shot just wide, the midfielder made no mistake in the 21st minute as he stroked home the rebound after George Molcher’s shot hit the post.

From a fine Toby Martyn centre, Ben Sharpe had a great opportunity to equalise, but he was unable to find the target.

By half-time it was 2-0 as Josh Magin’s cross from the right was nodded in from point-blank range by Charlie Young.

Ryan Chadwick pulled off three fine saves inside a minute thwarting Magin twice and Willis as Penzance dominated the second half, but in the 74th minute it was 3-0 when the ball fell for Young to hook home.

With a fine angled near-post header from a corner from the right, substitute Down pulled one back for Holsworthy on 80 minutes, but it proved only a consolation.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick, Callum Martyn, Will Harris (Todd Peschke, 65), Sam Hill, George Plumb, Toby Martyn, Rob Pearce (Josh Down, 60), Jay Thomas, Joe Barker (Sam Jago, 53), Ben Sharpe (Jonathan Lang, 78), Gavin Carter. Sub not used: Chris Wildern.