MIKE Edgar was the late hero for Portland United on Saturday afternoon, with his late penalty save ensuring the Blues drew to 8th placed AFC Portchester.

The home side had the first chance of the game in the 11th minute when Josh Williams received the ball on the edge of the area. The midfielder did not hesitate to snap at a shot with his right boot, which was parried away by Steve Mowthorpe to his left. Franklyn Clarke whipped in the resulting corner, headed down by captain Ryan McKechnie and cleared off the line at the far post.

Nine minutes later, the Blues had another chance. Riley Weedon picked up the ball from midfield before turning and digging out a shot from over 20 yards out. The ball looked as though it was sailing in before Mowthorpe punched the chance over the bar.

Portchester started the second half with the bulk of possession and came close to breaking the deadlock when Lamin Jatta played in Harvey Aston. The forward had time to pick out a shot but the curling effort with his right foot saw the ball fly inches over Mike Edgar’s cross bar.

The game changed for the visitors just before the hour mark in an altercation along the touch line that saw both Royals full back Tyler Giddings and manager Dave Carter, sent off.

Substitute Marcus Smith was unlucky not to score in the 73rd minute, soon after coming on. An effort from range saw Mowthorpe palm the ball in the direction of the substitute, but his effort from close range across the face of goal was blocked, going behind for a corner.

With 15 minutes to go, the Royals were through on goal when a long ball from defence found Jatta, who made tracks into the area. Edgar was alert to the situation and was quick off his line to meet the ball, making the save and clearing the danger.

Portchester were given a golden chance to win the game in the 83rd minute, when the referee awarded a penalty. A dangerous corner was nodded goal bound and supposedly palmed off the line by McKechnie, who was shown a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Lee Wort stepped up to take the spot kick, but Edgar made the save, getting his left glove behind the ball.

The Blues held on for the point but remain in 16th after US Portsmouth beat Cowes 4-1, leapfrogging Portland.

  •  Portland United: Edgar; Thomas, Poole, Hutchinson, Lowes; Morris (Smith 69), McKechnie, Williams, Weedon; Borthwick, Clarke

Subs not used: Smith, Diaz, Wilson

  •  AFC Portchester: Mowthorpe; Giddings, Raine, Da Costa, Bailey; Aston, Ridge, Searle; Jatta, Wort, Ramos

Subs not used: Sharpe, Lee-Greenough, King, Brillo, Poate

  •  Match Sponsor: Paul Wilson
  • Match Ball Sponsor: Derek Cribb