MAGPIES’ assistant-manager Trevor Senior was content with his side’s 3-1 pre-season victory over Portland United, but claimed there is “still a lot to work on”.

The Avenue outfit overcame the Wessex League champions in front of a gate of 243 in a friendly at Grove Corner.

Asssessing the game, Senior told Echosport: “Fair play to Portland, I thought they competed really well in the first half. Some of our passing went astray, it wasn’t as good as we’d like.

“The goal we conceded was a bit of a mix-up but pre-season is the time for these things to happen. The second half was a bit better, we created one or two chances and moved the ball a little bit better.

“There were some good points but still a lot to work on.”

It only took the Magpies four minutes to take the lead in what was Portland’s first home friendly of pre-season. A fine ball in from the left was bundled over the line after a melee in the islanders’ box.

But the Blues got themselves back on level terms on 19 minutes. A cross into the Magpies’ area was fumbled by keeper Chris Weale under pressure and there was island striker Lewis Clarke to stab the ball into the net.

Shortly after the break however, the away side were back in front and it was ex-Portland man Ed Bastick who got the goal for the Avenue outfit.

After coming on as a half-time substitute, he pounced on a defensive mistake and smashed the ball home on his return to Grove Corner.

And Tom Bearwish, another member of the Blues’ squad from last term, made it 3-1 10 minutes from time.

Blues’ boss Simon Browne added: “I am annoyed at the three goals we conceded because they were three goals that shouldn’t have been conceded, but that’s being picky.

“If you take away those, we were competitive. It certainly didn’t look like there was a couple of leagues between us, so I’m happy with the run-out in that respect. I thought we gave a good account of ourselves.”