BRIDPORT 3 SHERBORNE TOWN 3

BRIDPORT and Sherborne will have to do it all again on Wednesday night after Saturday’s FA Cup preliminary round clash at St Mary’s Field ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The Zebras staged a second-half fightback from two goals down to earn themselves a replay on home turf at Raleigh Grove.

For Bees boss Trevor Senior it was a disappointing outcome to a tie that the hosts appeared to be in control of when they led 3-1 with 45 minutes to go.

Warren Byerley put Bridport in front from a Chris Clarke cross on eight minutes but Elliot Mann levelled almost immediately with a free header.

However, Gary Bulman fired a superb second for the home side and Byerley scored again four minutes before the break.

The striker converted from the spot after Darren Watts was brought down in the Sherborne penalty area.

Fearing a cup exit was on the cards, the Zebras, and Mann in particular, made the most of a slip by Bridport keeper Ashley Weeks to reduce the arrears.

And within a few minutes the visitors were on level terms, Marc Caines finding the top corner of Weeks’ goal following a rapid counter-attack.

Chris Senior had an effort saved low down by the Sherborne keeper and there were a few goalmouth scrambles but neither side could find a winner.

“At 3-1 we were in control and should have killed the game off,” said Bees chief Senior. “But it was typical of Sherborne to come back and typical of us to let them in.

“We are scoring goals but we are also conceding goals and that happened again today.

“It was disappointing not to win given the position we were in but having said that we are still in the draw.”

As well as still being a win away from hosting Larkhall Athletic in the next round on September 12, another positive to come from Saturday’s game for Bridport was a first appearance of the season for Jamie Beasley.

The former Dorchester and Weymouth wideman returned to action at the weekend after undergoing a hip operation during the summer.

“It was a gamble to bring Jamie on and it didn’t really pay off,” added Senior. “But it was good to see him on the pitch, though he is a bit away from full fitness.”

Bees: Weeks, Condliffe (Beasley 75), Clarke, Hill, Senior, Hayter, J Symes, Watts (Peach 80), Evans, Byerley, Bulman. Subs not used: Dovell, Gale, A Symes.

Bridport man of the match: Warren Byerley