CULLOMPTON RANGERS 1

BRIDPORT 1

BRIDPORT saw their perfect record ended by a 1-1 draw with Cullompton Rangers in the South West Peninsula League Premier East.

Chris Herbst’s side are still unbeaten but felt aggrieved at two strong penalty shouts not going their way before Rangers netted an 80th-minute equaliser.

Bridport made the dream start as Sol Ayunga showed trademark tenacity to force an error in the home defence, allowing him a simple finish for 1-0 in the fifth minute.

Ayunga had two half-chances as the Bees searched for second but a lack of ruthlessness up front saw the score remain 1-0 at the break.

READ MORE: Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police v Bridport - match preview

An eventful second half saw Riley Weedon denied what looked a strong penalty appeal as a defender appeared to pull him down in the box via his arm.

Ayunga also had a spot-kick shout denied as he became the Bridport meat in a Cullompton sandwich, with the official waving play on.

James Cox also thumped a 20-yarder against the bar and George Calverley missed another good chance as Bridport spurned openings to extend their lead.

Instead, they came up against mounting Cullompton pressure and needed to defend well in the closing stages.

Bees’ sub Fred Parsons cleared an effort off the line but Rangers got the equaliser when home sub Makan Coulibaly pounced on a scuffed clearance by Luke King for 1-1.

In an end-to-end game, both sides had set-pieces in the final ten minutes but could not find a winner as an entertaining match came to a halt.

Herbst said: “It’s frustrating. We created enough chances and had an absolute stone-waller not given.

“The ref was in a great position and after the game he said he maybe got that one wrong. I just thought it was too late, we can’t turn back the clock.

“Sol had a penalty claim, not as much of a stone-waller but it’s a penalty and he’s not given it again. That’s at 1-0.

“It was quite an open game. They’ll be up there, in and around the top six, they’re a good outfit, so it’s not a bad point but we should have won. It feels like a defeat.”

Bridport, three points behind leaders Ivybridge with a game in hand, travel to promoted side Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police on Saturday (3pm).