BRIDPORT'S hopes of notching back-to-back victories in Toolstation Western League Division One were crushed by a determined Hengrove Athletic at Norton Lane.

The Bees travelled to the Whitchurch-based club full of confidence after thumping Weston St Johns 5-2 at St Mary's Field seven days earlier.

But despite edging the first half they came unstuck after the break as the hosts showed a greater desire and hunger for the points, which they eventually netted through the boot of Ben Crewe.

Afterwards Bridport boss Royston Davies, who prior to the game was optimistic of bagging a second consecutive league win, admitted that a dire second half had cost his men.

"In the first half I thought we outplayed them," said the manager. "I thought we were by far the better side.

"They couldn't put two passes together but we made loads of passing moves and created three or four goalscoring opportunities but none of which we took.

"In the second half we were a different animal. They won every 50/50 ball, every second ball and almost every header, especially after the goal went in."

Hengrove started the match brightly. Ricky Charlton fired a drive straight at Lee Cuff and Luke Crewe lobbed an effort over the bar from 25 yards as they went in search of an early lead.

However, Bridport soon settled down and began to move the ball with purpose. Adam Symes shot wide from the edge of the box, Ashley Clarke headed over the top and Steve Churchill dragged an effort wide as they took control.

The hosts were limited to counter attacks, in which Ricky Clark and Charlton failed to test Cuff, while at the other end the Bees were pouring on the pressure.

They should have taken the lead just seconds before the interval when Clarke stung Richard Jenkins' gloves with a fierce free-kick but no Bridport player was prepared to gamble on the rebound and the keeper scrambled after the loose ball to gather it at the second attempt.

That lack of effort and willingness flooded through the Bees after the interval as Hengrove changed their shape. They abandoned their 4-4-2, went toe-to-toe with the Bees' 3-5-2 and soon they had their noses in front.

A deep left wing cross from Scott Lewis found Ben Crewe in acres of space at the back post. The striker volleyed the ball back across Cuff, who got a good hand to it but could only watch as it rebounded off the upright and into the net.

Cuff made two superb stops, one from Charlton the other from substitute Matt Batchelor, to keep his side in it but they failed to put pressure on the hosts in the dying seconds and the result was never in doubt.

Bees: L Cuff, King, Senior, D Lock, Hayter, Churchill, Symes, Coggins, Thornton (Cleal, 85mins), A Clarke, Evans. Sub not used: M Lock