CRANBORNE 2 PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND manager Gary Bailey saw his side dig in for a victory he believes keeps their season alive after they scored twice in the final 10 minutes at Cranborne.

The result puts the Blues just one point off the Dorset Premier League summit in third spot behind Merley Cobham Sports and league leaders Hamworthy Recreation.

And having played one more fixture than the top two at present, the island boss realises the magnitude of their Easter Monday triumph.

He told Echosport: “It was tough and we didn’t play particularly well with a lot of tired legs and changes but I can’t fault the lads for sticking at it.

“Fair play to Cranborne, they played on Saturday as well and they ran their socks off and put a great shift in.”

The Blues took the lead right on the stroke of half-time when Ashley Smith was felled in the area, and Adam Linaker stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick.

But just when Bailey thought his side were going to go in at half time ahead, it only took the Cranes a minute to respond.

The island club gave the ball away, failed to defend a cross into the area, and a home striker nipped in to rifle the ball into the roof of the net before the break.

Despite a few stern words from the visiting boss at the interval, Portland could not prevent the home side taking a 2-1 lead, when a long ball over the top caught the Blues napping and Cranborne made no mistake.

But just when it looked like the islanders would go on to record a defeat which would dash their title hopes, they gave themselves a lifeline.

With 10 minutes left, former Weymouth Reserves’ man Aiden Jackson made a jinking run and slotted home a leveller.

And the Blues got their reward when a delivery into the Cranes’ box found Dan Austin who crept to the back post to nod the winner into the net.

“We were determined not to settle for a draw because we know draws are no good for us, so we kept pressing,” Bailey added.

“The lads’ desire and willingness to win was great. Every time we go out now our season hinges on every game.

“I think the lads are enjoying it, to be fair, and they quite like the jeopardy of every game.

“It just proves that they do want to take the season right to the death because if they didn’t they would have chucked it in and that’s not in their nature.”

Blues: Bickerstaff, Camp, Austin, Carmichael, Holland, Bessant, Smith, McKechnie, Whyton, Linaker (Townley 75), May (Jackson 65). Sub not used: Halloran