BRISLINGTON 2

BRIDPORT 2

BRIDPORT were left with mixed emotions after recording a welcome point at Brislington.

While the Bees were delighted to stop the rot of successive defeats in the Toolstation Western Premier Division, they left Ironmould Lane with a hint of frustration after surrendering a two-goal advantage.

Dan Wise and Chris Luke put the visitors in pole position but two late penalties from Liam Peart salvaged a point for the mid-table hosts.

Bridport chief Trevor Senior, who revealed the rearranged game was almost postponed for a second time this season due to heavy rain, said: “The lads are disappointed because they said it felt like a defeat.

“Brislington started brightly and created two or three chances but we clawed our way back in and dominated the second part of the first half.

“Matt Condliffe was then brought down on the edge of their box and Dan Wise scored from the free-kick.

“They tried to have a go in the second half but we looked good and got a second when the ball was played back to Matt and his deflected shot was pushed into the path of Chris Luke, who finished well on the volley.

“We had another good chance to make it three, 20 minutes from the end, but Mitch Conning’s shot went an inch past the post.

“They then got a penalty to make it 2-1 when Ryan Hayter was adjudged to have pulled someone back. I made a couple of changes to try and defend what we had but the ball was played into our box and this time Joe Charles was adjudged to have pushed their guy from behind.

“Our lads said he didn’t and that their player made a meal of it, but it was 2-2.

“Soon after that, Mitch had a shot deflected into the path of Darren Watts but he side-footed wide of the post. We could have nicked it at the end but overall a draw was a fair result.

“I would have taken a point before the game but to be 2-0 up with 12 minutes to go it does feel like a defeat. The lads may be disappointed but I’m pleased.”

Senior added: “The ref had actually called the game off when we arrived because they’d had so much rain.

“Both sets of players wanted to play and in fairness to the ref he agreed to start the game. As soon as he did, we didn’t have any more rain.”

Bees: Filkins, Condliffe, C Clarke, Hill, Senior, Hayter, Luke (Watts 82), Wise, Richardson (J Charles 85), Conning, Legg. Sub not used: Morgan.