HYTHE & DIBDEN 2

PORTLAND UNITED 2

PORTLAND United were held 2-2 by Hythe & Dibden – despite leading 2-0 with 83 minutes gone of their Wessex League Premier Division game.

In earning a point, the Blues stopped the rot of three straight losses but the outcome may feel like a defeat given how well Portland had played.

Portland made a positive start as Josh Williams – cleared to play after requiring stitches in a face wound last week – and Liam Sayers fired wide.

Matt Harvey then found the net from a corner, only to be flagged offside with a quarter of the match done.

READ MORE: Portland United 2-4 Laverstock & Ford - match report

Hythe, who had rarely had a chance up to that point, responded when former Dorchester winger Christos Papakonstantinou dragged a shot wide five minutes before the break.

The Greek star’s chance provoked Portland into a big push as Ben Morris brought a wonderful save from home keeper Ellis Grant.

However, Grant was powerless to prevent Greg Borthwick tapping home into an empty net on 45 minutes after Ryan McKechnie rounded the keeper and left him stranded.

Portland switched Harry Thomas for Connor Callow at half-time and Hythe gave them a message of intent with a shot straight from kick-off that Mike Edgar saw coming.

Sayers and Craig Feeney exchanged shots and Portland had another goal ruled out, this time with the whistle sounding seconds before due to an injury to Grant.

Portland would get the second goal they deserved on 63 minutes when Morris sent in a perfect cross for Borthwick to slam past Grant inside the area for the striker’s brace.

Borthwick was denied a hat-trick as he made way for Troy Walbridge, prior to Morris wobbling the crossbar as the Blues came close to 3-0.

That moment would prove crucial as Hythe threw men forward in the latter stages, sending a header wide with 17 minutes to play.

Walbridge aimed wide after good work from Brin Doyle but Hythe were able to set up a grandstand finale when Sam Boon, making his return debut, blasted home via the bar on 83 minutes.

Portland tried to slow the match down but Hythe negotiated their game management to good effect as the dangerous Feeney found the top corner in the 91st minute to break the Blues’ hearts.

Speaking to Echosport, manager Franklyn Clarke said: “They scored in the last minute but we were outstanding, a fantastic performance.

“The game should’ve been out of sight in the first half. We’re obviously disappointed in terms of being 2-0 up in the 83rd minute and drawing.

“A point away from home you probably would’ve taken and just the confidence and belief from that performance going into a tough November was exactly what we needed.

“Yes, the result’s important but the work rate and quality showed. Overall, a really good bounce back from the lads after a little bit of poor form.”

Portland host Hamworthy Rec in the Dorset Senior Cup first round on Tuesday (7.30pm).

Blues: Edgar, Thomas (Callow 46), Morris, Stuttle, Harvey, McKechnie (M Smith 73), F Clarke, Williams, Borthwick (Walbridge 66), Sayers (Lowes 86), Doyle. Sub not used: B Smith.