TOM Richardson kept the Bees’ quest for silverware intact by forcing a replay against Sherborne Town Reserves in the Dorset Senior Trophy.

The ex-Weymouth midfielder, who is currently working his way back to full fitness following a spell on the sidelines, struck with 20 minutes remaining to send the game into extra-time.

However, no further goals were scored in the extra half-hour which means both sides will now have to do it all over again at St Mary’s Field tonight (7.45pm) – a game Robin Townsend is very much looking forward to.

The Bridport Reserves’ boss said: “This is our only chance of silverware this season and we are going all out for it.

“Over the last couple of years we have reached the semi-finals but not been able to take it that step further but hopefully this time it will be different.

“With the fixtures the way they are, perhaps we should have gone to penalties to get the game played, but it was decided to have a replay instead and we are very much looking forward to it.”

Luke King’s pinpoint through ball enabled Jack Scovell to open the scoring for the Bees but Sherborne were proving no pushovers.

The home side were a constant threat from set-pieces and a free header from a free-kick before the break, and a further strike from a corner midway through the second half, soon turned the tables.

Richardson then made it 2-2 by finding the top corner before an unfortunate collision between Sam Day and keeper Lee Cuff ended with the latter having to be stretchered off.

Outfield player Adam Stordy took on the gloves for Bridport, who then went close to snatching it when Chris Herbst’s late strike flew just wide of a post.

Extra-time then saw Sherborne reduced to 10 men after a foul on Scovell but neither side could force a winner.

Townsend added: “We went into it with a limited squad due to unavailabilities and suspensions but overall I was pretty pleased with the performance, particularly after so long without a game.

“It was a bit scrappy at times but I couldn’t have asked for more in terms of commitment and, on another day, we might have won it.

“Losing Lee was a blow and we are still waiting to hear the full extent of the knee injury he sustained. Hopefully, it is nothing serious but it didn’t look good.

“We have a lot of games coming up and where possible we are going to need everyone to do their bit.

“Our biggest concern is still to feed the first team but hopefully at the same time we can still go on and finish the season on a high.”

The Bees return to league action on Saturday (3pm) when they will host Blandford United – the first of 13 games in just 43 days.

Bees: Cuff (Walkey 80), Stordy, A Clarke, King, Fry, McAllister, Day, Symes (Herbst 65), C Bulman, Scovell, Richardson.