PORTLAND United fought back from two goals down to seal a place in the Dorset Senior Cup semi-finals with a 4-2 victory at Swanage Town & Herston last night.

The Blues extended their unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions, and boss Dave Kiteley was delighted with his players' resolve.

He said: "I can't praise my lads highly enough. We showed real character and belief to come back and win the game.

"We weren't playing badly in the first half we just got caught out on two occasions.

"But we all had a chat at half-time and we all believed that we could turn it around.

"I'm delighted with the win because this is the biggest cup competition in the county and it would be an honour to play in the final.

"I'm looking forward to the draw, a home tie would be nice as I fancy our chances against anyone at Grove Corner."

The Swans are the only side since Holt United, back in August, to take points off the islanders following a 1-1 draw earlier this month in Dorset Premier League action, and they took the lead on 15 minutes in last night's cup clash.

The home side were afforded too much space during a short corner routine and the subsequent cross took a deflection off the unfortunate Sam Clarke and into the net.

On the half hour the islanders' task increased when a diagonal ball from the left found Richard Sands all on his own and, despite calls for offside, he duly dispatched the ball past the advancing Paul Gadsby in goal.

United quartet Lewis Whyton, Matt White, Ross Carmichael and Clarke all went close in the opening period, but the Blues had to wait until five minutes after the restart to open their account.

White left two defenders for dead before firing in his eighth of the campaign.

Swanage looked rattled and soon found themselves pegged back when Clarke scored at the right end after Michael Walker's knock down, from John Lamb's free-kick, presented him with a tap-in.

Within two minutes the visitors were in front, this time Lamb found the net with a curling shot past the outstretched hand of the home keeper.

Whyton wrapped things with a neat finish from 18 yards to secure the Blues' passage into the last four.

Blues: Gadsby, Percy (Ross-Jennins 46), Clarke, Perkins, Walker, Litherland, Halloran, Carmichael (Marshallsay 85), Whyton, White (Linaker 75), Lamb.