A RELIEVED Trevor Senior was happy to take a point away from Springfield after a hard-fought battle.

Bridport had travelled to Bristol on the back of a home defeat to Keynsham Town but were looking to regain the form that had seen them earn seven consecutive league wins prior to that.

The game started 25 minutes late due to one of the officials losing her way to the ground and both teams were slow to make any impression after the delay.

Bridport, kicking up the considerable slope, were first to show, when after good interplay, Matt Condliffe’s shot was blocked by the home defence.

Within a minute a poor clearance by, the usually reliable Chris Senior, fell to Heathens’ Toby Colbourne whose shot was well saved by Bees’ keeper Sam Filkins.

Shortly after this it was the home side who again went close when Dwain James headed over when well placed.

At the other end Cadbury keeper, Simon Crawford, was called into action when, after good play by the Bees, Ryan Dovell’s header, from a Condliffe cross, was well saved.

Play was going from end to end but neither sets of forwards could capitalise on the chances that arose.

Both defences held the upper hand and neither goalkeeper was extended again during the period.

With the Bees kicking down the slope and with the wind in the second half, they were the first to cause the home defence problems.

A free-kick by Dan Wise found skipper Darren Lock, whose header was saved under the bar by Crawford.

Another Wise set-piece was just too far in front of his waiting team-mates for them to make contact.

With Bridport now in the ascendancy the Heathens were fortunate not to concede when Jamie Symes had several chances but failed to get past the athletic Crawford.

The home side started to come back into the game and after some smart play by Cadbury, James was left with a chance to beat Filkins but sliced wide from 10 yards.

The home side were now getting back into the fray but the Bees’ defence stood firm.

At the other end, a Wise free-kick found Jamie Symes at the far post but his header was too high and posed no threat to Crawford.

Almost immediately at the other end Filkins saved well from the unmarked Boon.

It was now end-to-end play with both sides striving hard for the winner.

Wise provided some fine crosses but good defending and sub-standard finishing let the home side off the hook.

A long-range shot from Adam Symes was on target but it was a comfortable save for the home keeper.

With time running out it seemed that the home side must take the points when, left in the clear with the goal gaping, home winger Boon sent the ball yards wide of Filkins’ goal.

Bees’ boss Senior said after the game: “It was good to see us bounce back from last week’s defeat because we showed good spirit against a tough team on their own ground who have recently beaten league leaders Merthyr Town.

“Cadbury will probably feel that they were unlucky not to have gained the victory but I am happy with the point.”

Bees: Filkins, A Symes, Condliffe, Lock, Senior, Hayter, J Symes, Wise, C Clarke, Dovell (Legg 65), Watts. Subs not used: Cummings, Hill.

Man of the Match: Darren Lock.

Attendance: 74