SHAFTESBURY 0 BRIDPORT RESERVES 1

LEE Cleal pulled off a fine penalty save as Bridport Reserves returned to winning ways at second-bottom Shaftesbury in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

The Bees, who were still smarting from their Dorset Senior Trophy semi-final exit at the hands of Parley Sports Reserves the previous weekend, secured the three points thanks to a first-half strike from Ben Clarke but it could have been a lot more comfortable.

Joint-boss Steve Crabb said: “It was a good battling performance, particularly after the defeat against Parley, and it was nice to keep a clean sheet.

“We were not brilliant and could have put the game to bed in the second half but the fact we managed to stay solid and grind it out was very pleasing.”

The visitors had the better of the early exchanges until the 20-minute mark when the referee awarded the Rockies a spot-kick following a handball incident in the box.

The penalty was struck well but Cleal guessed correctly and made a decent stop before Clarke eventually opened the scoring on the half-hour after the home keeper could only parry Jack Scovell’s initial effort.

Jamie Morgan then went close to doubling the lead, only to see his second-half attempt cleared off the line, before Scovell and Clarke were both denied by fine saves.

Crabb added: “We were marginally the better team after we took the lead and just about deserved the result.

“We created two or three good chances in the second half but fair play to Shaftesbury because they are a good, young side.

“It was important that we got back to basics and I was just pleased to get the result after a period of stuttering along.

“Hopefully now, we can keep this going and try and put a bit of a run together.”

The Bees, who travel to basement boys Sherborne Town on Saturday, currently sit eighth in the table, three points below Parley Sports and five adrift of sixth-placed Chickerell United.

Bees: Cleal, A Clarke, Day, Peart, C Bulman, Steele, McAllister, D Lock, B Clarke, Scovell, Morgan (Gape 65). Subs not used: M Lock, King.