SHAFTESBURY 3

PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND United pulled off a stunning comeback from 3-0 down to earn a valuable point against Shaftesbury at Cockrams.

The Blues were staring down the barrel of another heavy defeat but a Ryan McKechnie hat-trick sealed the draw.

When Shaftesbury took the lead in the third minute, it looked like a long evening was in store for Franklyn Clarke’s men.

The Rockies’ goal came through a former Blue, as striker Bailey Rowe beat former clubmate Mike Edgar.

READ MORE: Portland United 2-2 Shaftesbury (Shaftesbury win 5-4 on pens) - match report

Shaftesbury were 2-0 up in ten minutes when Tyler Forbes, who has been in and out of the Weymouth setup this season, finished off a fine team move.

Portland’s only chance of note in the first half came through Matt Harvey, who clipped the top of the bar.

And when former Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland midfielder Dom Panesar-Dower added a third for Shaftesbury on 52 minutes, Blues fans could be forgiven for thinking it was game over.

However, the Portland players rustled up a stirring response led by skipper McKechnie.

Young star Jamie Cleaver’s dipping shot proved too much for James Mayo to handle and McKechnie reacted quickest to put away his parry on 63 minutes.

The midfielder was on target again three minutes later when Toby Diaz’s shot thudded off Mayo’s glove, allowing McKechnie to pounce.

Suddenly, Portland were now firmly on top and sub Josh Camp lashed a deflected effort wide before the equaliser came in the 91st minute.

McKechnie’s run from deep caused trouble in Shaftesbury’s back line as their defence made a complete hash of clearing a cross, the ball ending up in the bottom-right corner via McKechnie’s poke.

The goal sparked jubilant scenes on the Portland bench as they ran on to the frosty 3G surface, with the point almost feeling like a victory.

Quizzed on that very subject, Clarke told Echosport: “When you’re 3-0 down the game should be done but we just don’t know when to give up.

“I said to the boys at half-time that we might not have individuals who have played higher and who are vastly experienced that they have.

“But what we have that other teams don’t it togetherness and a team spirit, an attitude and work rate.

“That togetherness takes you places. I gave them two scenarios at half-time, one was that they don’t get the first goal and we make it 2-1 and the momentum will swing.

“Or, the second scenario is that they make it 3-0 and it becomes a very difficult. Then it’s about sticking together and not letting it be a Stoneham where you get beat by six.

“We got the first one and I just knew, I felt the momentum swing. We fully deserved to come away with what we did.”

Portland are at home to fourth-placed Bemerton on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Blues: Edgar, Thomas (Greenwood-Neate 42), Diaz, Harvey, Callow, McKechnie, Williams, Doyle (Scott 69), Borthwick (Camp 56), Morris, Cleaver. Sub not used: Lucas.