PORTLAND United advanced through to FA Cup preliminary round thanks to a Lewis Whyton header in a 2-1 win at Clevedon Town.

Alex Godfrey had handed the Blues the lead in the 21st minute and Whyton extended it with a headed effort after he had seen his penalty saved by Connor Sidley Adams.

Portland were beset by injuries and unavailability and Ross Doidge played despite being ill while substitutes Ed Bastick and Richard Marshallsay played despite not being fully fit.

However, the Blues were knocked back when Tyler Ashmead scored a minute after Whyton’s goal and the home side dominated the last five minutes.

Portland started brightly and were superb for the first 20 minutes and got their reward when Doidge put a ball up to Whyton, who cushioned the ball down towards Godfrey who controlled the ball before firing in from 20-yards out.

Clevedon then came back into the game, controlling possession but without creating many chances.

They forced Portland goalkeeper Jordan Tewkesbury into good save but Portland went in at the break 1-0 up.

The Blues again came out firing and Ryan McKechnie missed an opportunity to extend the lead.

Max Buckler then went on a superb run before squaring it to Godfrey who fired in but had his effort saved by Sidley.

Aston Butcher then got brought down inside the Clevedon box to earn the penalty, which Whyton initially had saved by Adams before he headed in the rebound.

However, Clevedon hit back when from a corner the ball bobbled about and Ashmead was there to fire past Jordan Tewkesbury in the Portland goal.

The home side then produced a fiery finish to the match but Portland held on to progress through to the next round.

Portland manager Brendon King said: “We are happy we got over the line. We did it the hard way but the lads dug in.

“Sometimes you have got to dig in, especially away from home you are in the FA Cup and sometimes it is the result that matters more than the performance.

“We were not great again, we were OK in spells. In the first 20 minutes we were good.”

Clevedon Town: Sidley Adams, Nicholson, Walton, Smith (Lopata 63), Hayer, Kingdon, Ashmead, Williams, Ferris, Osmond (Downe 63), Vowles (Camm 70) Subs not used: Feltham.

Portland: Tewkesbury, Doidge (Marshallsay 65), Butcher, S Buckler, Bessant, McKechnie, Halloran, M Buckler, Beasley, Godfrey (Bastick 80), Whyton Subs not used: L Clarke, Lillington

Man of the Match: Sam Buckler

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