A GOAL in each half from Tor Swann saw Buckland Athletic through to the quarter-finals of the Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup in a 2-0 win at Exmouth last night.

The Western League pair had already met three times this season, sharing a win each and a draw across two league fixtures and an FA Cup tie.

And despite a host of chances falling the home side’s way it was ultimately the Bucks who edged in front and kept the chance of silverware alive.

Exmouth had the better of the opening exchanges, Jordan Harris fizzing a ball across the face of goal before he just failed to get on the end of a dangerous Max Gillard delivery.

With 10 minutes gone they would pay for those missed chances when Levi Landricombe broke through the middle and fed Swann in acres of space – who finished via a deflection.

Undeterred by the setback, Exmouth came back with intent and would consider themselves unlucky not to have at least been level by the 20 minute mark.

First they hit the bar twice in quick succession following Aaron Denny’s piercing pass into the box – the ball eventually being fired just over.

And then the lively Morgan Cullen spurned a glorious chance when he could only scuff an inch-perfect cut-back from Harris over Andy Collings’ crossbar.

An ambitious Cieran Bridger attempt from the halfway line was as close as Buckland came to a second before half-time, and they were lucky to go in at the break with 11 men still on the pitch.

Charlie Johansen, already on a booking for something he said to referee John Veale, was given the benefit of the doubt after catching an Exmouth player in a 50/50.

The hosts looked to apply pressure from the outset after half-time, but repeatedly found themselves thwarted by a Bucks defence marshalled superbly by Rob Farkins.

Substitute Ben Steer saw an effort well kept out by Collings after delightfully controlling a long ball – the Buckland stopper popping up a handful more times to preserve his side’s slender lead as the second half went on.

And with the 90 minutes up Swann would make the game safe when his attempt took a huge deflection off Tom Gardner to leave Exmouth keeper Chris Wright with no chance.

Young full-back Rhys Fuller hooked a goal-bound effort off the line in injury time as Exmouth looked for the latest of comebacks – but it wasn’t to be.

After the game, Buckland boss Paul Froude acknowledged the danger that Exmouth posed but believed his side were worthy winners.

‘It could’ve gone either way, to be fair,’ said Froude. ‘I think Exmouth were a threat, particularly in the first half when they created a fair few chances.

‘This is always a hard place to come. Not many teams come here and win in any competition.

‘We can play better when we have the ball, but to a man my players have given absolutely everything – so in my opinion they deserve the win for that reason alone.

‘It’s just another step in the right direction. I said to Hilly [Exmouth manager Kevin Hill] that we’d almost like to emulate Exmouth. They’re a team who have been together for a long time and they all know their roles.

‘It’s nice to get through and the carrot is a tie against a big Southern League club, or even a professional club if Exeter are in the hat.’

The game also marked 50 in charge for Froude and assistant manager Danny Gaze – who made a late cameo off the bench after Landricombe picked up a knock.

‘The first of those 50 games was here when we were 4-0 down at half-time,’ Froude said. ‘I’d like to think we’ve made strides forward in that time.

‘We’ve done what we wanted to from the beginning, which was primarily to put together a good bunch of local, young lads.

‘A lot of those have come up from the Peninsula League and been mixed in with some good experience. There’s a happy feel in the camp at the moment, and long may that continue.’

Buckland turn their attentions back to the Western League this Saturday when they travel away to Ilfracombe (3pm).