Portland UNITED 3, BROCKENHURST 1

PORTLAND United recorded their best win of the season when they ended Brockenhurst's 100 per cent away record at Grove Corner.

Goalkeeper Paul Myers was the Blues hero with a second-half penalty save seven minutes from time that kept his side in front as the Badgers, who knocked famous FA Cup battlers Kingstonian out of this season's competition, fought for an equaliser.

Manager Nick Preston was "absolutely delighted" with his players. "At last we got the result we deserved," he said. "We have been playing well all season with much luck but today our work rate and discipline were superb.

"The whole team played well and I am very proud of the lads. Two wins in a week sets us up nicely for our home game against current league champions Andover on Saturday."

The Blues took the game to their visitors from the start and only a goal-line clearance by Matt Parkin stopped James Reeve from giving them an early lead.

But from the clearance Badger's Guy Dipper had the goal at his mercy but he shot wide with Myers stranded.

After this scare the Blues pushed forward with some of their best football of the season, only to fall behind after 20 minutes.

A clearance from a corner fell to ex-Terra Graham Gee and his shot from 20 yards flew into the top corner with Myers' fingertips just failing to keep it out.

Steve Staples in the visitor's goal made several good saves before Myers distinguished himself by going full length to keep out Dipper's shot and as half-time approached Brockenhurst had the Blues on the rack with a succession of corners.

They re-grouped at the break and came out fighting with an early and somewhat fortuitous equaliser.

Dave Whalley's 40 yard free-kick floated into the area, eluding both attackers and defenders before taking a tremendous bounce over Staples and into the net.

Then in the 68th minute Darren Whyton scrambled them in front from a goalmouth melee that followed a corner.

When Alan Rodgers handled inside the area Paul Simms had the chance to level from the spot. But Myers guessed right and went full length to his left to push away the low kick.

Three minutes later it was all over for the Badgers when Reeve's alertness proved too much for Staples. The goalkeeper dallied over clearing a back pass and Reeves nicked the ball away from him before slotting home Portland's third.

Portland: Myers, Rodgers, Perkins, Kenway, Whyton (Fitch 86), Dennis, Whalley, Evans, A Skelton (Greeno 88), Reeve, Carter (Leighton 90).

Attendance 125.