SHAFTESBURY 2

Colohan 2, Connolly 90+4 pen

PORTLAND UNITED 1

Baker 86

PORTLAND United were left dismayed by an injury-time penalty as 10-man Shaftesbury triumphed 2-1 at Cockrams in their Dorset Senior Cup semi-final.

An early goal from Sean Colohan put the Rockies in front, before Alex Halloran struck the post for the visitors just before half-time.

The Blues improved vastly to dominate the second half and hit the bar, while the hosts saw Adam Flint sent off in a 50/50 challenge with Lewis Whyton on 70 minutes.

With time ticking down, Sanchez Baker scored in the 86th minute from a corner, before Ross Doidge saw a free-kick superbly denied by home keeper Dan Card.

But the controversial moment came in the 94th minute when Shaftesbury were awarded a penalty for an innocuous aerial challenge.

Nathan Connolly duly stepped up to send Shaftesbury into a final against Wimborne Town, who defeated Poole Town 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to Echosport after the dramatic clash, Portland boss Gary Bailey could not “apportion the blame” to anybody.

He said: “It was a bitter pill to swallow. We were all over them in the second half – there was only going to be one winner – that was going to be us.

“You can’t apportion the blame to anyone, they took their chance and won it. I can’t say that it was a game that followed a trend of chucking games away. It was circumstances out of our control.

“We started really poorly and went a goal down after two minutes. We had three opportunities to clear the ball and their lad ran on to it and stuck it away.

“As the half wore on we grew into the game and, on the stroke of half-time, Alex struck a lovely shot that hit a post and came out to safety. We probably deserved to go in level”

Bailey added: “We played down the slope second half and pinned them in.

“I can’t remember our keeper having a save to make. We hit the bar, there was a goalmouth scramble and you wonder whether it’s going to be your night.

“But we got a corner, it bounced in the area and Sanchez smashed the ball home. We felt we could go on and win the game in normal time.

“On 90 minutes, Ross hit a free-kick, the keeper made a magnificent save and tipped it on to the bar.

“Then they had a free-kick which was headed away, with no appeals, and the ref blew the whistle and gave a penalty.

“To go out in those circumstances is really disappointing but that’s cup football, there’s no second chances.

“For it to be decided like that was tough to take.”

Blues: Lillington, Sharpe, Whyton, Butcher, Bessant, Halloran, Doidge, Smith, Bearwish, Mitchell, Baker. Subs not used: M Camp, Payne, Moore