BLANDFORD UTD 3 BRIDPORT RES 1

THE Bees paid the price for missing a hatful of chances as their four-game unbeaten run came to an end at Blandford United.

The visitors were the better side for much of the contest but the Royals proved more clinical, much to the frustration of Steve Crabb.

Bridport’s joint-manager said: “It was a little bit disappointing.

“We created loads of chances but did not take them and when that happens, you tend to pay the price.

“We had four of five good opportunities in the opening 20 minutes and could have been out of sight before they even got going but we failed to take them and they ended up taking the lead against the run of play through a deflected free-kick.

“Jack Scovell then got us back level on the half-hour with a fine strike from 25 yards, only for them to regain the lead on the stroke of half-time when we failed to defend a short corner and allowed one of their lads to score with a header at the far post.

“We were pretty much camped in their half for most of the second period but once again we were unable to make the most of numerous chances.

“Their keeper made two or three good saves and we just could not score before they then grabbed a third with virtually the last kick of the game as we committed more bodies forward.

“It is not the first time we have been hit by a couple of sucker punches and we need to learn from that.

“Sometimes we tend to leave ourselves a little too open and it is important we try and find a bit more of a balance.

“Some of the football we played was excellent at times, so there were positives, but we just need to make sure we are more clinical and do not get caught out so much when we push on in games.”

Bridport, who sit eighth in the Magna Dorset Premier League, will be back in action tomorrow night when they host fourth-placed Wincanton Town at St Mary’s Field (7.30pm).

Crabb added: “It is going to be another tough game but we should have a couple of players back from the first team so hopefully we can get a result.”

Bees: Cleal, Day, A Clarke, Peart, C Bulman, Nott (Hailu 65), McAllister (Condliffe 75), Morgan, Steele, Evans, Scovell. Sub not used: Lock.