MANAGER Stuart Heath held his hands up and accepted responsibility after Portland United tasted their first defeat of the campaign.

The table-toppers suffered an unexpected 2-0 reversal at Merley Cobham Sports on Saturday thanks to a goal in each half by Oliver Clayton – halting an 11-match unbeaten run.

However, Heath was keen to exonerate his charges of any blame and spoke nothing but praise for the way they conducted themselves in the face of adversity.

The Blues’ chief made two alterations to the side that beat Wincanton Town and as such, admitted that the liability rested on his shoulders.

Former Bridport men Tom Coggins and Steve Churchill replaced Lloyd Cranny and Sam Pattison in the line-up, with the latter pair dropping down to the bench.

Speaking to Echosport, Heath said: “I’m disappointed to have lost our first game but very proud of the way the players performed.

“I thought we were unfortunate to lose but now it is important that we refocus and make sure this result does not have a negative effect on us over the next few games.

“I accept responsibility because I changed a winning team. When you do that, you leave yourself open to criticism if you do not get the right result.

“We have got a big squad and not many injuries so I wanted to rotate a few players and rest them. Unfort-unately it didn’t work out, but we have played worse this season and won.

“I have to give Cobham credit because they threw their bodies on the line on a number of occasions and showed a tremendous amount of bravery.

“We lacked quality going forward, which was unusual for us, and our finishing wasn’t ruthless enough either. The ball didn’t really fall for us in the penalty area.

“But we have played teams this season who have lost and not kept their dignity and discipline, whereas we kept going right to the end.”

Clayton’s two goals were equally spectacular but whereas the first was a 35-yard wonder strike, the second was an attempted cross that sailed over gloveman Wayne Gifford’s head.

Overall, Portland bossed proceedings but strikers Adam Linaker and Nick Etherington found no joy whatsoever against an inspired Merley custodian.

Despite enduring their first major setback, the Blues remain on top of the Magna Dorset Premier League pile – two points clear of nearest pursuers Hamworthy Recreation.

And Heath, who named returning keeper Nick Carroll among the substitutes, added: “It’s a long season and all we can do is react well in training and in our next game.

“I know it’s going to be a tight league but I do think that right now there are two or three teams better equipped than we are to last the course.”

Blues: Gifford, Churchill (Cranny 70), Wells, Carter, Welch, Godfrey, Smith (Beades 65), Coggins, Miles (Marshallsay 46), Linaker, Etherington.