DAWLISH TOWN 2 BRIDPORT 5 BRIDPORT staged a blistering comeback to get their Screwfix Direct Premier Division campaign off to the best possible start at Sandy Lane.

The Bees made hard work of overcoming a Dawlish side made up mostly of youngsters and last

season's reserves and were looking at each other in disbelief after going 2-0 down on 40 minutes.

In a dominant first half, Simon Gale had already hit the post and both Dave Newland and Jason Thoday had side footed wide from close range by the time Chris Slough had put the home side in front on 38 minutes.

His quickly-taken free kick nestled sweetly into the bottom corner as goalkeeper Martin Peters was still organising his wall.

Moments later, the Bees back line was caught square when Brad Cox sent Carl Turner clear and he had all the time in the world to place the ball neatly under Peters.

Darren Stewart handed Bridport a much needed tonic right on half time when he headed home Gale's cross after the striker had shown some light footwork on the byline.

Town might have restored their two goal advantage at the restart but Nigel Evans made a brilliantly timed challenge to halt Dan Broadway's progress and Slough put a free header over the top.

After Gary McAuley's header had been scrambled off the line it looked as though it wasn't to be Bridport's day.

But the fight-back was really on when the lively Chris Armstrong, whose pace and desire was a real handful in the second half, flicked the ball over the keeper to level on 55 minutes.

Dawlish keeper Darren Armitage showed great reactions to keep out Gale's acrobatic overhead kick and he also denied the same player when Mick Greeno picked him out with a superb threaded pass.

The Bees striker, who worked tirelessly all afternoon, finally got his reward however when he put his team in front on 71 minutes, blasting in via a deflection following another tormenting run by Armstrong.

Bridport put the gloss on a fine display with two further strikes in the final ten minutes to send them to the top of the table.

The fourth was a tremendous individual effort from substitute Richie Parkinson, who jinked his way to goal from his own half and slotted the ball home.

Then, Gale thumped a powerful volley beyond Armitage from 10 yards.

Delighted manager Peter Conning was pleased his side had found the killer touch.

He said: "We have got those characters in the team who can get us back into the game and get the best out of other players.

"They were there for the taking and were not well organised, I'm pleased that we showed that ruthlessness.

"People are fighting for their places, there are two lads on the bench (Richard Leach and Richie Parkinson) who do not deserve to be dropped and that's a good situation for us."

Bees: Peters, Newland, Thoday, Evans, Stewart (Parkinson 79mins), McAuley, Rose, Gale, Linney, Armstrong, Greeno (Leach 79mins). Sub not used: Conning.

Booked: Newland (not retreating 10 yards)