Falmouth Town pushed runaway leaders Plymouth Parkway all the way but ultimately fell to a narrow defeat in their SWPL Premier tie at Bickland Park on Saturday.

Mikey Williams opened the scoring on 15 minutes for the visitors before Olly Walker equalised eight minutes later, but Williams struck what turned out to be the decisive blow just before half-time.

It proved to be an intriguing match-up from the start, with Rob Wearne needing to clear an effort off the line before Jack Webber’s dipping volley was saved by Marko Radovanovic.

Parkway have lost just one league game all season, so there was an air of inevitability on 14 minutes when Williams fired in from close range after Harry McMellon had parried Shane Krac's strike.

But Town hit back in the 23rd minute when David Broglino led a counter attack and played in Walker, who burst down the right flank before seeing his shot take a deflection to help it past Radovanovic.

Town had their tails up and Wearne forced Radovanovic into another good save before Walker was sent tumbling in the box, but referee Steve Annis waved the appeals away.

However Parkway restored their lead just before half-time in fortuitous fashion, with Williams' close-range effort finding the corner following a huge deflection off James Ward.

Parkway pressed for a third after the break, coming close twice with McMellon saving Mike Smith’s strike before Krac’s curling effort narrowly missed the target.

The hosts missed a golden chance on 77 minutes as Luke Brabyn broke down the right and crossed towards Jordan Annear to tee up Broglino, whose shot was blocked and cleared.

Town threw everything at their opponents in the final few minutes, with Joe Cooper and Matt Buchan both coming close with headers, but Parkway stood firm to claim the points.

Packet Pick: Jack Webber - the midfielder played well in the middle of the park in the first half, before doing the same at right-back after the break.

Falmouth: H McMellon, J Ward, T Annear, R Martt, J Cooper (c), J Webber, L Brabyn, D Broglino, R Wearne (J Annear 64), M Jones (M Buchan 41), O Walker (T Nixon 80).

Falmouth play Cullompton twice this week, with a trip to Devon on Tuesday night before they meet at Bickland on Saturday.