BLANDFORD UNITED 3

POOLE BOROUGH 2

BLANDFORD United remain firmly at the summit of the Dorset Premier League after twice grappling their way back to beat Poole Borough 3-2 in a game defined by errors at Park Road.

The league leaders were given a big scare by the Hornets, who took a first-half lead courtesy of Dan Mirko when he punished a grave mistake in the Royals’ defensive line.

Blandford opted to bring on star striker Mark Ford, formerly of Weymouth, immediately after the half-time break.

And his extra class told in the 63rd minute when he showed admirable control to kill a pass over his shoulder and then hold off the covering defence to score from an acute angle.

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However, Blandford did not bank on a mistake from goalkeeper Sam Pike as the Hornets once more stung the table-toppers, this time Kieron Denty reacting quickest to make it 2-1.

Poole inadvertently returned the favour as Logan Laird pounced for the Royals’ second equaliser just two minutes later.

It was left to Ford for the final say as he swept home at the back post for his second goal of the match and 16th of the season to hand Blandford an 11th win from 13 games.

The Royals lead Holt by eight points having played once more and host the Hornets again on Saturday in the Dorset Premier League Cup quarter-finals.