PORTLAND UNITED 2

AFC STONEHAM 2

PORTLAND United fought back from 2-0 down against second-placed AFC Stoneham to secure a 2-2 draw in new boss Kyle Critchell’s first game in charge.

Having been beaten 6-0 by the Purples in the reverse fixture, Portland could have been forgiven for folding at 2-0 after seven minutes.

But the Blues gave a timely example of their recent progress by defying the odds to come back and share the points, inflicting Stoneham’s first league draw of the season.

It took just five minutes for Stoneham to go ahead in controversial circumstances.

READ MORE: Portland United sign Shaun Bessant and Gareth Will

Portland felt goalkeeper Mike Edgar was fouled in an aerial challenge and the resulting spill allowed Liam Callaghan to nudge home for 1-0.

Two minutes later and Portland conceded again as Lewis Nagle stole possession and drew a foul inside the box, enabling Callaghan to tuck home for his brace.

Portland responded with Ryan McKechnie shooting wide and Brin Doyle misdirecting a tricky header from debutant Gareth Will’s cross.

Will’s afternoon lasted just 40 minutes as he was replaced by Ben Morris and the winger, nicknamed ‘The Ginger Pele’, got on the scoresheet early in the second half.

It came after Portland were awarded a penalty and, although Liam Sayers saw his low driven effort saved by Callum Lee, Morris was on hand with a neat finish from the rebound for 2-1.

Portland, who also handed second debuts to assistant Jamie Symes and Shaun Bessant, saw Morris test Lee with a venomous free-kick on the hour.

Stoneham held firm in the face of mounting Blues pressure until the 85th minute.

Morris was at the centre of the attack once more, his deep cross finding Doyle at the back post and the Dorchester loanee cushioned a header for Sayers to bury the chance for 2-2.

Josh Williams fired over and Stoneham had a goal ruled out for offside in a frantic finish that also saw the visitors denied a penalty.

In the end, both teams had to make do with a point and Critchell felt the result reflecting two differing halves.

He told Echosport: “It was about having that resilience and determination. They showed that in abundance.

“To go 2-0 down was deflating but they showed a grit to them. The quality on the ball will get better but what a good result to start off with.

“Everyone was buzzing but we have to talk about progress. We got a very good result from a difficult position.

“By no means do we rest on our laurels. We have to look at what we can improve.”

On the controversial first goal, Critchell said: “I think Mike was fouled but I thought they should’ve had a penalty at the end.

“It balances out. They were better than us in the first half and we were better second half. There’s no qualms from me.

“I just thought we were in the ascendancy and could’ve nicked it.”

Portland visit Christchurch on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Blues: Edgar, M Smith (Harvey 68), Stuttle, Will (Morris 40), Bessant, Callow, Doyle, Williams, Sayers, Symes (Borthwick 61), McKechnie. Subs not used: B Smith, Diaz.

Attendance: 151

Match sponsor: Gully’s Place Trust Fund (in memory of Trey Rodd).

Match ball sponsor: Karen Palmer (in memory of Ronnie Palmer).

Mascots: Freddie Lewis and Dexter Harris.