ALTON 4

PORTLAND UNITED 2

PORTLAND United suffered an Alton comeback as the Brewers turned their Wessex League Premier Division clash on its head to win 4-2.

In securing victory, Alton gained revenge for their defeat at Portland by the same scoreline.

However, it was not smooth sailing for the hosts as Greg Borthwick put the visitors into an 11th-minute lead, tucking home the rebound after a superb solo effort from Ben Morris.

Morris nearly made it 2-0 before Blues’ keeper Mike Edgar was called upon to make a sharp save when Alton bolted upfield.

READ MORE: Portland United 3-3 Cowes Sports - match report

Oli Lowes forced Edgar’s opposite number Kieran Greene into action with a free-kick at the other end but the Brewers were level with half-time looming.

Marcus Smith was booked for a foul and from the resultant set-piece Oli Page levelled the scores.

There was another blow for Portland when Josh Williams picked up an ankle injury, boss Franklyn Clarke coming on to replace him moments before the break.

At half-time it also became clear that teenage right-back Harry Thomas was unable to continue with an ankle injury of his own, striker Liam Sayers his replacement as the Blues reshuffled their pack.

And Alton capitalised as Portland adjusted, Matt Benham beating Edgar after a poor clearance.

Ryan McKechnie shot wide in response but the Brewers made it 3-1 on the hour through George Bowerman.

Clarke’s solo run and deflected shot then helped halve the deficit as skipper McKechnie headed home the corner with 25 minutes to go.

Speedy winger Matty Burrows was introduced for Joel Hewitt as Portland sniffed a point and Borthwick thought he had restored parity, only for his strike to be ruled out for offside.

Portland threw all their attacking might at Alton and huge shouts for a penalty were ignored as Burrows was tackled in the area.

As Portland committed men forward they were caught on the break in stoppage-time, George Sanderson sealing all three points to cap an entertaining game in the 92nd minute.

Speaking to Portland’s media officer Josh Barton post-match, Clarke said: “When you’re on top you’ve got to really go for it, keep your foot down, keep creating and score a second.

“Similar to Cowes, in the first half when we scored a couple. It should be done. (Alton) have got one just before half-time and we’ve had to make two changes.

“They’re two big players and it just unbalances things. We had to play people out of position.

“We just didn’t quite adapt to those two going off.”

Giving his take on the penalty claim, Clarke added: “He’s got the wrong side of him, he beat the man and gone to ground in the box.

“When you do that you always give the officials a decision to make. Matty said he felt contact and it hasn’t been given.”

Portland remain in 17th following their 15th league defeat of the campaign.

Blues: Edgar, Thomas (Sayers 46), Hutchinson, Williams (F Clarke 45), Poole, M Smith, Morris, McKechnie, Borthwick, Lowes, Hewitt (Burrows 71). Subs not used: Walbridge, B Smith