BRIDPORT 2 STREET 0 BRIDPORT kept their FA Cup dreams alive with a comfortable preliminary round success over Street at a sun-drenched St Mary's Field.

Goals either side of half-time by Simon Gale and Richard Leach helped bank a winner's cheque of £1,000 and book a first qualifying round trip to Dr Martens Western Division outfit Mangotsfield Town in a fortnight's time.

But while it might have ultimately proved an easy passage for the Bees, it didn't start out that way with the visitors head and shoulders above their hosts for the opening 35 minutes.

Bridport lacked any real passion and commitment during those early exchanges but they were let off the hook by poor finishing from Street's Matt Francis, Damion Palfrey and Steve Perkins.

All three wasted glorious opportunities before Pete Conning's men sprung to life ten minutes before the break.

A great lay off by Chris Armstrong set the hard working Simon Gale off on a run into the opponents' penalty area where he was unceremoniously chopped to the ground by Gary Banfield.

Referee Bill Bull had no

hesitation in pointing to the spot and it was Gale who stepped forward to blast

his kick straight at goalkeeper Kevin Hurd. Unluckily for the gloveman, the ball rebounded back to the Bridport striker who this time made no mistake from four yards.

Having barely deserved their half-time lead, the Bees came out looking a better side following the interval although Palfrey almost pulled Street level with a drive that curled just inches wide on 55 minutes.

Francis then went even

closer with a shot that cannoned off the post, but it was the introduction of substitute Adam Rose that made all

the difference to Bridport.

His boundless efforts in midfield helped move his team up through the gears and it was his willingness to chase lost causes that almost set up Gale on the hour.

The visitors weren't quite finished yet however, and how Francis failed to equalise in the 68th minute will remain one of life's mysteries.

Dave Pople skinned two home defenders before delivering an inch-perfect cross from the right, but with an open goal yawning in front of him, Francis blazed over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Street paid heavily for that mistake as home keeper Martin Peters found Armstrong wide on the right from the resultant goal kick. The former Portland youngster showed great skill before sending in a teasing centre which Leach met with a glancing header that flew into the back of the net.

Gale, Armstrong, Leach and Warren White all missed a hatful of chances after that while at the other end, Peters pulled off a great save to deny Francis a last minute consolation.

Bridport boss Conning said: "I was disappointed with our first half showing. I don't know whether it was the pressure of the Cup or what, but our effort and desire was poor.

"But second half was much improved and in the end it was a good win against a decent side who made us work for everything."

He added: "I was particularly pleased with Gary McAuley at the back and with the workrate of Simon Gale up front. But it was when Adam Rose came on that things really started to happen and I was delighted with his contribution.

"Financially it's a massive win for the club and everyone's looking forward to going to Mangotsfield in the next round."

Bees: Peters, Newland, McAuley, Stewart, Evans, Linney, Parkinson (White 75mins), Greeno (Rose 57mins), Gale, Armstrong, Thoday (Leach 51mins).