Football

Bridport 2 Hallen 2

TWO own goals relegated Bridport after a superb performance against high-flying Hallen on Saturday.

The Bees took the lead through Pete Copeland but were behind at the break as Dan Wise and Mark Lock diverted clearances past Martin Peters.

An excellent header from Tony Cunningham made it 2-2 but a draw was not good enough for survival because Welton beat Torrington.

Kevin Donovan said afterwards: "We went down with dignity.

"Both goals were flukes. You might let one in like that in a season but we let two in inside five minutes.

"Hallen admitted afterwards that if we had won by four it would not have been a travesty.

"Against a side of that level we couldn't have dominated a game more than that.

"They changed their shape at half time to combat what we were doing and we still dominated because of the effort and desire of the players.

"In this game the players were outstanding - every one of them and a credit to the club.

"It couldn't have been more exciting.

"And because of that I think the players came out of it with a lot of respect."

The Bees chief did however stress that such a performance against sides like Devizes or Melksham would have seen them safe long ago.

"We didn't lose it Saturday," he said.

"If they had played with that passion and committment and self belief that the plan was right we wouldn't have been in that position."