Wareham Rangers 3 Portland United 3

CHRIS Wilson is backing his players to bounce back from this disappointing draw at Wareham Rangers.

Portland went 3-0 up in the Magna Dorset Premier League clash only to be pegged back in the second half by a spirited comeback.

Adam Linaker put the table-topping Blues in front with a rebound before Ashley Smith added a brace, which included a thunderbolt, but a double from Steven Yeates and a strike from Michael White ensured it was honours even at full-time.

It was a frustrating outcome for the islanders but Wilson is confident his men will hit back with an immediate response.

The United boss told Echo-sport: “In the first 15 minutes they were out of the traps pretty quick but we expected that, rode it out and then began to take control.

“We played some good football and scored three really good goals in a 10-minute period to cruise into half-time, but full credit to Wareham bec-ause they came out after the break and threw everything at us to get themselves back in the game.

“I could stand here and pick holes in a lot of things in the second half but it is not going to change anything.

“We had a five-minute chat afterwards and I could see around the dressing room that the lads were not only disappointed but they knew where things had gone wrong, and as long as I get a reaction, I will be happy.

“You cannot expect to have everything your own way in this game – it just doesn’t happen and now it is all about how we respond.”

Going on to analyse the second half in a bit more detail, Wilson added: “They got an early goal and that got their tails up but we still had chances.

“We felt we should have had a penalty when Andy Harris hit the bar and Adam was brought down in the follow up, and we also had a goal disallowed for offside that looked debatable, but like I said, these things happen and you just have to get on with it.”

Next up for the Blues is a home clash against Shaftesbury on Satur-day.

Wilson’s men remain top, level on points with Holt United with two games in hand.

Blues: Weeks, McKechnie, Harris, Whyton, Carmichael, Doidge (Newnham 75), Halloran, Smith, Toghill (Marshallsay 50), Linaker, Mutch (Conning 60).