BRIDPORT 2 COBHAM SPTS 1

(abandoned at half-time because of floodlight failure)

FLOODLIGHT failure at St Mary's Field forced the abandonment of Bridport's Dorset Senior Cup first round tie with Cobham Sports last night.

The home side had overturned a one-goal deficit by virtue of strikes from Dan Wise and Ashley Clarke to head into the changing rooms 2-1 ahead.

But as the players and match officials emerged on the pitch to resume, all four sets of floodlights simultaneously malfunctioned and the decision was taken to replay the match at a date yet undecided.

Boss Ian Hutchinson had utilised the opportunity to rest some first team regulars and cast his eye over a couple of promising youngsters.

Chris Herbst made his senior debut at left-back while fellow reserves' star Harry Fleet was given a berth in the centre of midfield, and veteran Mark Kenway enjoyed his first competitive start.

Defenders Ryan Hayter and Chris Senior were given the night off and Simon Radcliffe was absent due to an ongoing groin strain.

Herbst in particular was impressive, combining with Shane Evans down the left flank and Kenway's experience was reflected through a commanding performance at the heart of defence.

Slick Bees' passing was a feature of the opening 25 minutes so it was somewhat of a surprise when the visitors went ahead from their first meaningful attack.

Possession lost from a throw-in allowed Lee Oven to venture forward and feed James Law, whose first- time shot was expertly placed.

Bridport equalised five minutes later when Wise put the gloss on a fine move involving Evans and Fleet, thumping home an unstoppable 25-yard screamer.

This sparked the home side back into life and had Clarke's close-range effort not been miraculously deflected over, they would have been in front.

Nonetheless, the second goal arrived merely seconds later as Clarke planted a header across the keeper after Kenway had supplied a pinpoint cross.

Bees: Cleal, Kenway, Herbst, Lock, Fellows, Fleet, Legg, Wise, Evans, Clarke, Condliffe.

LAST NIGHT'S RESULTS UEFA Champions League, Group E: AaB 0 Man Utd 3, Villarreal 1 Celtic 0.

Group F: Bayern Munich 1 Lyon 1, Fiorentina 0 Steaua Bucuresti 0.

Group G: Arsenal 4 FC Porto 0, Fenerbahce 0 Dynamo Kiev 0.

Group H: BATE 2 Juventus 2, Zenit St Petersburg 1 Real Madrid 2.

UEFA Cup First Round - Second Leg: CSKA Moscow 1 NK Slaven Koprivnica 0 (Agg 3-1), St Patricks 0 Hertha Berlin 0 (Agg 0-2).

Coca-Cola League, Championship: Bristol City 2 Plymouth 2, Burnley 3 Watford 2, Cardiff 2 Coventry 1, Crystal Palace 1 Charlton 0, Derby 1 Birmingham 1, Doncaster 0 Sheff Utd 2, Ipswich 3 Barnsley 0, Preston 0 Swansea 2, QPR 1 Blackpool 1, Sheff Wed 1 Nottm Forest 0, Southampton 2 Norwich 0, Wolverhampton 0 Reading 3 Coca-Cola League, One: Colchester 0 Leicester 1.

The Setanta Shield Second Round: Fisher Athletic 2 Eastbourne Borough 3 TOTESPORT.COM Wales & West Division: Bournemouth Res 1 Yeovil Res 3, Salisbury City 0 Exeter Res 2.