DYLAN Morgan’s brilliant late strike gave the Seasiders victory in a nervy Boxing Day derby at Broadclose Park.

Chances were at a premium throughout, but just as it looked like the 515-strong crowd would go home without seeing a goal, Morgan fired home a loose ball from 20 yards.

Bude had to wait 13 days to try and build on their victory over Camelford and boss Steve Hackett made three changes.

Centre-half James Wheeler replaced the suspended Jake Woodland, while further up the field, Harry Hopcroft and Archie Perrott returned in midfield for the unavailable Baga Mariko and Morgan.

For Holsworthy, who also saw their December 20 fixture postponed, Kevin Squire drafted in Aidan Slade and Mark Horn – the latter who is back from the United States of America for a few weeks – for Rob Pearce and Will Harris.

Both sides showed plenty of endeavour and tried hard with the Seasiders slightly the better side in the early stages, which included key striker Tornado Bello shooting over from a tight angle.

But it was the Magpies who had a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 21st minute.

As Bude looked to clear, right wing-back Sam Hill’s cushioned header found striker Chris Wildern on the right side of the box. With goalkeeper Ty Rowe in no man’s land and looking to backpedal, Wildern could only lift a chip over the bar from 20 yards.

Wildern shot straight at Rowe on the half-hour before a fine ball in from the left had to be dealt with by home skipper Ewan Reeves.

The rest of the half played off without much incident apart from an ongoing battle between Bello and Holsworthy captain Jedd Peschke.

Holsworthy attacked down the slope towards the school end in the second half but it was Bude who started the better with a half-hearted appeal for a handball being turned down, before winger Piran Friend had a shot in the area blocked by the impressive Callum Martyn.

Wildern shot over from 25 yards in the 53rd minute which followed just after the hour by Bello making space for himself by rolling a defender, only to blaze the ball over the crossbar.

Both benches were emptied as they sought a goal, and on 66 minutes Bello had another decent chance. A free-kick found the striker in space at the back post, but instead of shooting first time, he worked the ball on to his left foot and saw his effort blocked.

The next 20 minutes saw plenty of passion without any end product, that was until Morgan’s moment of magic.

From a sliced ball up in the air, a header dropped to Morgan on the left side of the box and he sent a dipping effort into the top left-hand corner.

Holsworthy, led by the impressive Horn, looked for a response, but the hosts held on comfortably to move above the Devonians and up to seventh.

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Jamie Gorst, James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (capt), Finn Reeve; Harry Hopcroft, Billy Hopcroft (Aaron Hart, 78), Archie Perrott (Jake Gilbert, 72); Harrison Swatton, Tornado Bello (Jack Biddick, 90+2), Piran Friend (Dylan Morgan, 58). Sub not used: Abdul Deifa.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jedd Peschke (capt), Callum Martyn, George Plumb (Rob Pearce, 89); Sam Hill, Aiden Slade (Rory Simmons, HT), Gavin Carter (Lewis Haxell, 82), Jay Thomas, Mark Horn (Will Harris, 90+5); Chris Wildern (Josh Down, 72), Ben Sharpe.

Men-of-the-match: Bude Town – Dylan Morgan; Holsworthy – Mark Horn.