FRANKLYN Clarke admitted Portland United’s late 2-1 loss to Hamworthy United was “heartbreaking”.

Clarke was animated on the touchline throughout the whole match, willing his side on against one of the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division’s few remaining unbeaten teams.

Louis Hankin popped up in the 13th minute to head home past former Dorchester keeper Shaun Murphy as Portland made a dream start.

Hamworthy then responded on the break as Dan Cann clinically fired home from 12 yards.

Both sides created chances in the second half but the Hammers landed the killer punch in the 92nd minute as Cann rounded new keeper Steve Boore and finished easily to seal victory.

While Clarke was gutted by the manner of the defeat, he was “proud” of the young Blues’ reaction to Saturday’s 8-1 loss at Cowes.

He told Echosport: “I feel like their goal at the end was just one of them. Was it deserved? Absolutely not.

“We have to take it on the chin, that’s football. I’ve been in plenty of teams where we’ve done that and been on the receiving end of it.

“It’s heartbreaking for me to watch the lads do what they’ve done for 90 minutes and not come out with at least a point, it’s gutting for them.”

He added: “I couldn’t be more proud of them. You look at Saturday’s performance and result compared to (Hamworthy) and we’ve gone toe-to-toe with them for a full game.

“We’re playing young lads and we have a 17-year-old playing right-back in his second game – Alfie Toland – outstanding.”