PORTLAND United manager Simon Browne was frustrated as his side’s drawing habit came to a close with a 2-0 loss at Grove Corner to Bashley.

Goals in the first half from Lewis Ross and Harrison White handed the Blues their first defeat in six league matches, with Portland having drawn five of those games.

Browne said: “It wasn’t a great day was it, we made mistakes in the first half, Shaun Bessant knows he perhaps shouldn’t put his hands on the back of the lad for the penalty.

“The run of draws is over but not in the way I wanted.”

Browne had no disagreements about the awarding of the penalty and said: “I don’t think we did a great deal wrong it is just the old adage, if you get things right in the penalty boxes then you will win more games than you lose.

Browne was pleased with how Portland started, saying: “I thought we started off really quite brightly actually, we had a couple of good chances.”

The match ball, man of the match and programme were sponsored by Browne’s father and three uncles, in memory of their uncle Phil who was a huge fan of Portland United.

Browne explained: “It was a nice gesture because my uncle Phil was a big Portland fan. He always used to say he wanted his nephews, myself and my brother, when we were playing that I want you to come over and play in the Blues for Portland, which didn’t quite happen unfortunately.

“I am sure he would be right in my ear about having lost 2-0 at home so there you go, I am afraid I couldn’t get the three points for him.”