SUBSTITUTE Luke Braund headed in a last-gasp winner for Easton as they continued their impressive form with a 2-1 win over Bishops Caundle at the Grove.

The Portlanders dominated the first half but did not take the lead until 70 minutes when Ben Skelton found space just outside the area and drove home a wonderful strike into the bottom corner of the net.

However, moments later, a rare mistake by goalkeeper Dave Anthony led to an equaliser for the visitors. The Easton stopper misjudged the flight of a high ball in the swirling wind and when it dropped a Caundle player was on hand to fire home to make it 1-1.

That was hard luck on the islanders but in a late rally they managed to find a winner. Jordan Bowler had a goal ruled out for offside before Braund popped up and nodded in on 89 minutes to snatch his side all three points.

Easton boss Chris Wilson, whose side have won six out of eight since the turn of the year, said: “We got there in the end.

“In the first half we were all over them. In fact I do not think they even had a shot but we did not take full advantage and squandered a couple of chances.

“Danny Moore came close with a shot just over the bar, Jordan put one wide from close range and Aaron Williams had a header cleared off the line by James Turrell’s back.

“To be honest it did not look like Caundle had come to play but with the wind at their backs they did up it a bit in the second half.

“We finally got ahead through a great effort by Ben but when they then went on to equalise I thought it was going to be a case of two points dropped.

“However, we then went at them again towards the end and got a deserved winner through Luke, which was really pleasing as he has been doing really well of late.”

United continue to sit third in the Dorset Senior League, nine points adrift of second-placed Weymouth Sports.

Wilson added: “We have been on a good run since Christmas but Sports and the leaders Parley have kept on picking up the points as well. There are still some big games left and we just have to see how things pan out.”

Easton: Anthony, Carlile, Williams, Maxted, Oldrid, Sanchez-Baker (Braund 65), B Skelton, Turrell, Simmonds, Bowler, Moore (Gould 80).