BRIDPORT 2 MINEHEAD 2

BRIDPORT were forced to settle for a draw after Minehead twice came from behind in a highly-charged affair at St Mary’s Field last night.

Lewis Cocker opened his account to put the Bees ahead in the first half before keeper Lee Cuff’s clanger gifted the visitors an equaliser on 52 minutes.

Dan Wise then converted a penalty to regain the lead for Bridport but Mike Mullen levelled in the closing stages as Minehead fought back in style.

On a night of high drama, Cocker turned from hero to villain when he was dismissed for a second bookable offence moments before the visitors’ second equaliser.

And deep into stoppage time Minehead’s Guy Burns was shown a straight red card for dangerous play as both sides ended the match with 10 men.

Boss Trevor Senior made one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Hengrove Athletic on Saturday, drafting in Cuff for the unavailable Lee Cleal.

Chances were few and far between in the opening skirmishes but on 17 minutes Cocker beat the offside trap and volleyed the Bees in front.

Minehead could have been two goals adrift just seconds after the break when Matt Condliffe struck a post following a dazzling solo run.

This reprieve sparked the visitors into life and they drew level when an innocuous shot inexplicably crept under Cuff’s body and rolled into the net.

Cuff cut a disconsolate figure but his blushes were spared 15 minutes later as referee Steven Barclay blew for a penalty after James Symes had been upended.

Wise obliged by slotting home the spot-kick and Bridport looked on course to secure the first Toolstation Western League Division One victory of Senior’s stewardship.

However, Cocker’s sending off reinvigorated Minehead who stunned a bumper St Mary’s Field crowd by equalising for the second time.

Tempers frayed as the red mist descended on West Dorset once again, with the antagonistic Burns receiving his marching orders right at the death.

Bees: Cuff, Symes, C Clarke, Lock, Senior, Hayter, Legg, Wise, Cocker, Condliffe (Musumeci 72), Moors (Bulman 68).