BRIDPORT RESERVES 2 Portland UNITED 2

A LATE equaliser from Adam Linaker rescued a point for Portland United and denied Bridport Reserves a second successive win.

The islanders had taken a half-time lead at St Mary’s Field, with Ashley Smith on the mark, but the hosts fought back in the second half and turned the match on its head thanks to goals from Ben Clarke and Chris Herbst.

Just as the Bees thought they had done enough to clinch victory, up popped Linaker to maintain the Blues’ unbeaten start to the Magna Dorset Premier League campaign.

United boss Stuart Heath said: “It wasn’t the result we wanted but full credit to Bridport as they defended really well and broke very quickly, and they fully deserved their share of the points.

“The main positive for us was the character we showed to get a late equaliser. There are lessons to be learned though, including the need to be more ruthless and clinical in front of goal.

“We created a great number of chances but we were pretty wasteful when we should have had the game won by half-time. We will learn and improve.

“Given the expectation we have set ourselves it was a bit of a disappointment to only draw but when you score so late you have to be thankful for a point.”

Next up for the Blues is Saturday’s home clash with Sturminster Marshall. The Bees meanwhile, travel to Holt United.

Blues: Carroll, Wells, Reader, Whyton, Carter, Litherland, Halloran, Smith (Perkins 65), Pattison (Cranny 65), Linaker, Sheridan (Chance 70).