IN a must win game, Bude were tested to their absolute limits but dug deep late on to pull off a stunning comeback win that keeps their hopes of survival going into the final few games.

Bright sunshine and a strong squad of North Devonians greeted Bude as the game got underway in earnest with both teams displaying an air of calm and confidence as they gently began settling into their own game plans which kind of cancelled each other out.

The probing continued with both teams creating good chances until a sustained run of penalty corners in the 25th minute for the visitors paid dividends as a speculative straight strike, that was going just wide, was deflected in by the injector at the near post.

Despite the setback, Bude stuck to the game plan and offered a threat from multiple directions, most notably down the right wing. However, they failed to make any of their attacks count as they frustratingly fizzled out whenever they came close to goal, so the first half ended with the visitors holding a slender lead.

With a monumental task in front of them, Bude rose to the occasion and started purposefully with decent attacks coming from all areas and the pressure on the visitors goal was mounting as shots were fired from all angles. But frustratingly nothing was breaching the stubborn defence, even the trusty penalty corner routines went awry.

With their backs against the wall and survival hopes disappearing as the game entered the final quarter, Bude gave it one last big team push and found another gear from somewhere within that lifted them and eventually the breakthrough came. Zack Davis got the much needed goal, finishing with a sweeping ball that perfectly went under the keepers out stretched arm to hit the netting.

North Devon tried to respond but Bude were now firing on all cylinders and they failed to make any real impact on the Bude D. This meant the attack could keep pushing for the vital win and a great solo run by the inspired Charlie Falla looked like it was going to be the icing on the cake until he was unceremoniously brought down. After a quick umpire check, a card and penalty corner was the agreed decision.

This gave Bude another chance, but they failed to take it, however the belief never dwindled, and the chances kept coming and it was Kristoff Saunders who smashed the ball home from the edge of the D to score Bude's second goal that nudged them in front with just five minutes to go.

Keen not to make the same mistakes as last week against Bodmin, Bude were focused until the final whistle and despite North Devon swapping their goalkeeper for another attacker late on, the home side held strong to see the game out for a well-deserved win and a precious three points.

Man of the match was an equally tight decision with multiple standout performances, but Caiden Walbridge earnt it with a faultless right back performance.

The result keeps Bude out of the relegation zone for the time being but with a tough final three games to play, the challenge is not over yet and could go down to the wire.