Indiscipline proved costly for Tenby United on Saturday as it allowed Tumble back in to sneak this vital National League division four (west) clash by 21 points to 20 at a rain-swept Parc Y Mynydd Mawr.

Although they got off to the brighter start, opening up a 13-6 lead, the Seasiders gave away a careless penalty try and found themselves down to 13 men at one point through hot-headedness and back-chat which allowed the Magpies to steal a march and snatch the spoils.

Tenby took the game to Tumble from the outset and took an early lead through a Neil Powling penalty.

The Magpies came right back, but were held up, allowing the United to win turn-over ball.

Fullback Darren Rees, having a superb game, chipped ahead, hacked on and then gathered possession to run in an excellent solo try to extend the visitors' advantage.

Powling was off target with the conversion, before Tenby indiscipline in loose play allowed Tumble to reduce the deficit to two points with two quick penalties from Neil Tovey.

With youngster Chris James in dominant mood in the linesout and front row trio of Dai Balkwill, skipper Richard Rossiter and Lee Tucker scrummaging well, the United had the platform to put pressure on the Magpies, but they were unable to attack the gain line to great effect thanks to some superb cover defence from the Tumble back row.

Although he was having an off day kicking off the floor, missing several penalties, including one directly in front of the posts, Powling fared better kicking from hand, rifling the ball into touch inside the Magpies' 22.

James took clean possession at the ensuing lineout to set up a classic catch and drive which marshalled Justin Richards over for an unconverted try.

An inability to clear their 22 put Tenby under pressure in the closing stages of the half. The quick-thinking Tumble scrum-half chipped over the United defence from a close range scrum and seemed certain to score a try as he followed up, so when he was illegally impeded, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

Tovey converted to level the scores and then gave Tumble a psychological advantage in injury time when he slotted over another penalty to give them the lead.

Changes up front by the Magpies saw them start to take more control in the second half, frustrating the United and leading to Ben Armstrong and Gavin Brace both being yellow carded within the space of two minutes for misdemeanours.

Although Tenby rallied and tried to contain the situation, the Magpies used their numerical advantage to good effect, charging down an attempted clearance by Jon Dodd and utilising quick ruck ball to send Nick Bailey over in the corner for an unconverted try.

With time running out, Tenby struck back when Dodd weaved his way out of defence before linking with Rossiter who raced over for a try.

Rees converted from the touchline, but it proved to be too late for the United to pull another score out of the hat.

With Tumble languishing towards the bottom of the table, Tenby made the mistake of underestimating the opposition and the United's coaching staff were naturally disappointed with the result as, on recent experience, the team can play 100 per cent better.

The indiscipline proved costly as this was the third game this season where the Seasiders have been on the wrong end of a loss by the space of just one kick and would have made the difference between them climbing to third spot in the league or staying in their mid-table slot.

One can but hope it does not come back to haunt them at the end of the season.