TORRINGTON 1 BRIDPORT 1 A DESPERATE last-ditch challenge from Dean Ritchie preserved a precious point for improving Bridport in the Screwfix Direct Premier Division at Vicarage Field.

With 12 minutes remaining, Torrington winger Danny Robinson looked certain to tuck home the rebound from a terrific one-handed save by Martin Peters, but Ritchie saved the day for the Bees when he stretched to block the shot at the near post.

It was a moment which emphasised Bridport's new found resilience in recent weeks and they were well worthy of a point for another determined effort.

Chances were limited in the first half but the home side had the best of them with the wind at their backs.

They had the visitors in occasional discomfort with some good delivery into the box from both flanks, particularly from the dangerous Karl Madge.

It was his cross that caused alarm on 10 minutes when Supergreens skipper Lee Langmead sent a looping header goalwards, which Peters palmed onto the bar and Andy Stevens clipped over as it fell to him close in.

Langmead should have done better meeting a John Vooght cross full-on with a powerful header, but it lacked direction.

Peters also did well to push a downward header from Langmead away when the bounce almost caught him out before Bridport came into the match ahead of the interval.

Andy Hitchcock was unlucky to see his curling shot tipped clear by Steve Oliver following a neat cut in from the right, then Ritchie burst clear of the back line only to be thwarted by the Torrie keeper who was quick off his line to make the save.

The Bees began the second period where they ended the first and their purposeful play was rewarded with a goal five minutes in.

The excellent Bruce Gawen won the ball in midfield and skipper

Gary McAuley slid it through to Hitchcock, who showed neat composure to ghost round the keeper and slot calmly home.

But Torrie were level within five minutes when Robinson threaded the ball to Stevens, who took on a defender and produced a great finish, rifling the ball low across Peters into the corner.

Richard Leach nearly put the Bees back in front on 70 minutes, but his snap-shot from 25 yards was brilliantly saved by Oliver, who flipped to his left to parry after a wicked bounce almost eluded him.

Ritchie's late saving tackle was the closest the hosts came to winning it after Peters had made a fine stop down low to his right to deny Langmead.

Bees manager Bob Russell was pleased with the point but he still believed his side should have taken all three.

"I see it as two points lost," he said, "because their goal came quite quickly after ours.

"It was just a little lapse in concentration which allowed their player to break away and I think we could have gone on to win the game."

Bridport: Peters, Newland, Leach, Clark, Linney, McAuley, Thompson (Flann 60mins), Gawen, Ritchie, Hitchcock, Thoday. Subs not used: Leigh, Russell.

Attendance: 95