BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES 1

Adams 73 pen

PORTLAND UNITED 2

Bent 53, Gadsby 90

SAM Gadsby volleyed a sensational 90th-minute winner as Portland United beat Bournemouth Poppies 2-1 in a dramatic Velocity Wessex League Premier Division clash at Victoria Park.

After dominating most of the first half, Portland went goalless into the break but Connor Bent’s first goal for the Blues put the visitors ahead on 53 minutes.

Jake Adams’ debatable penalty levelled for Poppies, who later hit the post through Brad Gale, but Gadsby came up trumps with a sweet late volley as Portland ended a three-game losing streak at Poppies' home ground.

Portland just about deserved the points based on chances created but were nearly left to ponder wasted openings in the first half.

READ MORE: Aidan Shepherd joins Portland United on permanent deal

Poppies belied their placing of 15th in the league table prior to kick-off, winning two corners in the opening 10 minutes.

And the hosts went close to the opening goal when Lewis Sainval’s looping header forced Portland goalkeeper Harrison Bruton to punch away under pressure.

However, Portland then dominated the next 35 minutes as the Blues created chance after chance.

Their first of note came when Ben Morris won a cheap foul on the edge of the box before skipper Josh Williams drilled the free-kick over.

The speed of Bent then unlocked the Poppies’ defence on 16 minutes, with the hosts needing keeper Jakub Lewiarz to save Ryan McKechnie’s poked effort.

Thirty seconds later, Portland were in again as Morris darted inside and fizzed a powerful drive millimetres over Lewiarz’s bar.

Portland were making all the headway and their next shot on target came in the 31st minute when Morris swept up on the edge of box but could not trouble Lewiarz, who gathered his effort.

Lewiarz then had to punch clear a Morris corner as Portland maintained the pressure.

The final five minutes of the half belonged to Poppies, though.

First, Sainval had arguably the best chance of the half when Portland switched off from a diagonal ball. The centre-back was afforded space and time to aim a volley at goal, which he skewed wastefully over.

Adams then weaved his way past two Portland challenges before testing Bruton, the keeper making a good stop with his legs.

Bruton was called upon again, less dramatically this time, as Kyle Graham got in behind only to scuff his attempt in the 43rd minute.

After the break, Graham went close for Poppies again on the break as ex-Blues midfielder Marcus Smith teed him up on the left of the box before the number 10 flashed a shot across goal, narrowly avoiding the late charge of another ex-Blue, Bailey Rowe.

With their first shot for fully 22 minutes, Portland then took the lead in tremendous fashion.

Poppies failed to clear a corner and, when the recycled ball was pumped forward, right-back Shaun Bessant supplied Bent on the D.

The forward still had plenty to do but nailed his instinctive first-time strike into the bottom-left corner with a minimal deflection.

Poppies still maintained a threat on the break as Graham teed up Adams, his attempt spilled then gathered by Bruton.

Portland made two changes after the hour mark, handing a debut to new signing Aidan Shepherd and introducing George Stuttle for Joe Wickham and Crit Clarke respectively.

And Shepherd was thwarted by Lewiarz just 12 minutes after coming on, following outstanding work from Brin Doyle whose through ball released the ex-Blackfield marksman.

From the save, Poppies broke and breached Portland’s box with James Stocker making the most of fractional contact with Gadsby to win a soft-looking penalty.

Adams made no mistake from the spot, although Bruton did get two hands to the shot, for 1-1 just 17 minutes from time.

Portland then began to sit too deep and invite pressure, Poppies’ Brad Gale clattering the right-hand post with Bruton motionless.

Sensing a winner, Poppies pushed on and Graham skinned Bessant only to fire a tame shot at Bruton.

However, the winner would come from a Portland boot in the 90th minute.

Bent was again at the heart of the move, finding sub Hayden Scott in space on the right of the box.

His low ball picked out Gadsby whose initial effort was blocked but the ball flew up kindly for him to pelt a crisp volley into the left corner, sparking wild celebrations.

The result handed Portland their first win at Victoria Park for nearly four years and once more gave indication as to the Blues’ steely resilience this season.

Blues: Bruton, Bessant, Clarke (Stuttle 64), Williams, Gadsby, Callow, Wickham (Shepherd 60), Doyle, Bent, McKechnie (Scott 82), Morris. Subs not used: Symes, Harvey.

Referee: Jade Wardle.