WEYMOUTH SPORTS 1, STURMINSTER NEWTON 1

GERRY De La Planque was both villain and hero as Weymouth Sports stretched their unbeaten Dorset Combination League run to three matches against Sturminster Newton at Redlands.

The former Bridport striker began the afternoon in disappointing fashion by missing a penalty just ten minutes into the game.

However, he was able to make amends for that earlier error by netting his side's equalising goal, late in the second-half.

Sports began well enough with Darren Tizard causing a wobbly Sturminster defence all sorts of problems early on and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot when the midfielder was unceremoniously hauled down just inside the box.

But the normally reliable De La Planque failed to take advantage of the situation by blasting his weak penalty kick wide of the target.

Adie Chance's men started to fade after that and it was struggling Newton who took a surprise lead just before the half-hour mark.

Ex-Terras keeper Gavin Bates was at fault when his clearance crashed against a visiting attacker, leaving Gary Crane with the simply task of tapping into an empty net.

Sports got their acts together again following the interval and Rob Horton was just inches away with a good strike on 58 minutes as the visitors defended for their lives.

De La Planque finally levelled the scores 15 minutes from the end when he reacted ahead of his marker to conclude an elongated melee in the Sturminster box.

Weymouth really should have gone on to win it after that, but some poor finishing in front of goal meant they instead had to settle for a share of the points.

Boss Chance said: "That was an awful first half performance and I can only suggest that our minds must have been on our big Dorset Senior Cup tie with Weymouth. I told the players before hand to put it out of their minds but I do know from my playing days that's easier said than done.

"For the first time this season I had to raise my voice at the break and tell them a few home truths. Fortunately they responded in the right manner and our second-half display was far more satisfactory."

He added: "I've never been one for picking out individuals because I don't think it's fair, but I must mention Chris Armstrong, Jamie Mitchell and Tom Steadman who I thought were all absolutely outstanding."

Sports: Bates, Walker, Windust, Klust, Steadman, Conroy, Mitchell, Armstrong, Tizard, De La Planque, Horton. Subs not used: Chance, Reeson, Miles.