GOSPORT BOROUGH 1

Paterson 41 pen

DORCHESTER TOWN 1

Caze da Silva 88

THIAGO Caze da Silva scored an 88th-minute equaliser as Dorchester Town sealed a superb point on the road at high-flying Gosport Borough.

Matt Paterson’s penalty put Gosport into a first-half lead until da Silva popped up with a late header to earn a deserved draw for the visitors.

Dorchester manager Glenn Howes made one alteration to the starting XI that began the 3-1 win over Harrow Borough last time out.

In came Callum Buckley, who the Magpies yesterday announced will stay at the club permanently until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Caze da Silva was the man to make way but the Brazilian was recalled to the starting line-up after a problem for Charlie Madden in the warm-up.

READ MORE: Gosport Borough 1-1 Dorchester Town - how it happened

There was no place for defender Connor Callow or winger Sam Bayston on the bench, but fit-again striker Kieran Roberts took a seat in the dugout.

Dorchester had taken just seven points in 11 away league games prior to the contest, while some 33 goals had been scored in the previous seven fixtures between the sides.

An early goal was not forthcoming in a sedate start, Gosport’s Dan Wooden launching a shot well over after a long ball picked the striker out.

Dorchester responded midway through the half when Alfie Stanley’s shot forced teenage keeper Bert White into a good save, palming the effort round the post.

Gosport cleared the corner and bolted upfield, with Wooden firing another chance off target.

Back came Dorchester a minute later as Tom Purrington found Charlie Gunson, the midfielder working White once more – although nothing came from the corner.

Dorchester, in a trend of recent away performances, looked solid and their hard work was beginning to frustrate their third-placed hosts.

Theo Lewis illustrated Gosport’s frustration with a wild shot in the 34th minute before Buckley headed over at the other end.

However, the main flashpoint of the first half came as Gosport were awarded a penalty for handball.

Dorchester appealed strongly against the decision but Paterson kept his cool to send keeper Gerard Benfield the wrong way in the 41st minute.

After conceding a first-half lead, Dorchester had work to do in the second.

Instead it was Boro who began on the front foot as Lewis headed a corner over before heading Harvey Rew’s cross at Benfield, who saved well.

Benfield’s opposite number White suffered a nervy moment on the hour when he spilled a Purrington shot.

Billy Stedman was first to the loose ball but his cross back in was eventually dealt with by the home defence.

Elliot Wheeler and sub Rory Williams both tried their luck against Benfield, who stood firm.

With 16 minutes remaining, Dorchester had their own sight of goal when Oakley Hanger struck his effort at White.

Benfield was then called upon to tip Wooden’s shot round the post, before sub Kieran Roberts went off with an injury.

His replacement, Papakonstantinou, changed the game for good.

Coming on in the 82nd minute, the Greek winger took fewer than five minutes to make an impact.

His cross found the head of Caze da Silva and the Brazilian defender did the rest, heading over White to equalise with his second goal of the season.

Papakonstantinou could even have won it in the 91st minute, only to shoot wide of White’s goal.

However, the point gained by Dorchester on the road against a top-three side will boost confidence in their final away game of the year.

Dorchester did drop into 18th despite the draw, courtesy of Beaconsfield’s shock 2-1 win over Poole.

Gosport: White, Kavanagh, Rew, Hallett, Woodford, Briggs, Huggins, Lewis (Williams 69), Wooden, Paterson (Walsh 69), Wheeler. Subs not used: Gomis, Grant, Agbeseyi.

Magpies: Benfield, Hanger, Sa, Soares (Wells 77), da Silva, Buckley, Purrington, Gunson, Stanley, Stedman (Roberts 66, Papakonstantinou 82), Lowes. Sub not used: Davidson.

Attendance: 510