IVYBRIDGE suffered their third straight defeat after going down by just one point to rivals Kingsbridge when they could have won in the dying moments.

Adam Bradley missed a tricky conversion from wide out after Tom Scholes's try put the Bridgers in with a chance of victory.

Paul Setter's men now face a tricky trip to fourth-place Okehampton tomorrow as they bid to avoid slipping into the lower reaches of the table.

Ivybridge's defeat was a bitter pill to swallow given that not only did it come against neighbours Kingsbridge, but also because it came on the club's vice-president's day.

The home side could have taken the lead, but Bradley missed two penalties, while Kings' scrum-half Matt Barlow slotted home both of his to make it 0-6 at the break.

Ivybridge had the better of the exchanges in the second half and thought they had scored through former colt Sam Kingscott.

But the referee ruled that Tom Scholes had made a forward pass to Kingscott.

Scholes's late try put Ivybridge within sight of victory, but it was not to be.

Ivybridge's coaches admitted the Blue and Whites were the better side and deserved their win and were due to hold a meeting with the players on Tuesday to address their recent poor form.

The Bridgers were dealt a further blow before the Kingsbridge clash when it was confirmed that winger Josh Perkins had signed for Western Counties West rivals Devonport Services.

There was better news for the Ivybridge 2nds last weekend when they romped to a 34-17 win at their Kingsbridge counterparts in the Devon Merit Table 2.

The league leaders host Honiton 2nds at 2.30pm tomorrow.

The Colts also enjoyed a big win away when they trounced Plymstock Albion Oaks 55-14.

They travel to Torquay for a Devon Colts Cup clash tomorrow.