CLEVEDON UNITED 2 Portland UNITED 6 (at Grove Corner)

PORTLAND United cruised into the second qualifying round of the FA Vase by hitting Clevedon United for six at Grove Corner.

However, the Blues' success was soured by the late dismissal of goalkeeper Paul Myers who now looks certain to miss his side's next tie in the competition, at home to Welton Rovers in a fortnight's time.

Myers, an ever present for the past four seasons, saw red for swearing at a linesman after he had awarded the

visitors a controversial goal, 18 minutes from time.

The official claimed that Myers had carried a tame shot from Damien Thorne over the line, much to the gloveman's annoyance.

Blues boss Nick Preston said: "I couldn't really see from the dug out, but Paul was adamant the ball didn't go in. I can understand the lad's frustration but I can't condone his behaviour.

"You don't swear and argue with the officials, it's as simple as that. It now means Paul will get a long ban and it was all so unnecessary."

Despite the final scoreline, few would have predicted it following the opening exchanges during which the Blues barely got a touch.

The visitors, who gave up home advantage because the Hand Stadium where they play was being used by landlords Clevedon Town, should have been in front within 20 seconds when Leigh White's vicious shot was brilliantly tipped away by Myers.

Portland managed to ride that early storm and they went ahead against the run of play after being awarded a free-kick just inside their opponents' half on nine minutes. Up stepped Mark Carter to curl a left-footed effort which deceived rooted keeper Andy Brooks and sneaked into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later the Blues doubled their advantage when David Laws hooked home a Chris Evans corner from the right and it was the same two players who combined to make it 3-0 on 21 minutes.

Evans this time fed Laws from the left and the ex-Terras striker controlled beautifully before coolly lobbing the advancing Brooks from ten yards.

Clevedon hit back five minutes before the break when a low cross by White beat both Myers and the in-rushing Thorne at the near post before striking the unlucky Andy Perkins on the chest and spinning into the bottom corner.

And things might have got a bit tricky for the Blues had Myers not pulled off another brilliant save to deny White on the stroke of half-time.

Losing Laws with a dead leg during the interval failed to upset Portland's rhythm in the second period, which was just four minutes old when Andy Turrell sprinted in to convert James Reeve's centre from the left-hand byline.

The move of the game led to the islanders fifth on 69 minutes following the arrival of substitute Jimmy Dailey. Some slick one touch football between Chris Naylor and Danny Bews sent Dailey away down the right and it was his pull back that was smashed home inadvertently by visiting defender Andy Woodlands.

Then came the blot in Portland's copybook with Perkins taking over from Myers between the sticks.

The Bristol outfit suddenly had renewed hope and threw everyone forward in search of a reprieve but it was Reeve who exploited the gaps in their defence with a sixth goal deep into injury time.

Blues boss Nick Preston said: "The scoreline was a bit deceiving really because it was a game that we won easily but never controlled. A 6-2 victory might look good enough but there's still a lot of improvement needed."

Blues: Myers, Bus, Reader, Carter, Wallis, Evans (J Dailey 68mins), Naylor, Turrell, Laws (Whalley 45mins), Reeve, Perkins. Sub not used: Preston.

Bookings: Yellow - Naylor, Reader. Sent-off - Myers

Attendance: 121