PORTLAND United manager Stuart Heath believes yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Hamworthy Recreation is a “valuable point” in their quest to retain the Dorset Premier League crown.

The Blues took the lead inside two minutes courtesy of midfielder Alex Halloran but saw their lead wiped out on the hour mark.

And Heath, who admits his side were far from their best, was pleased to take home a point.

He said: “With the standard we’ve set recently the players were slightly disappointed with the way played. But credit to Hamworthy as they played very well.

“It’s a valuable point towards what we want to achieve. We started the game well and got an early goal through Alex after two minutes.

“But we didn’t control the tempo as much as we’d have liked.

“We switched off in the 60th minute for them to equalise but it’s only the second goal we’ve conceded in the last seven games so we can’t be too disappointed with the boys at the back.”

Portland’s lead at the top of the table has been cut to five points after Swanage Town & Herston leapfrogged Poole Borough into second place with a 3-0 win.

However, the islanders have played three games fewer than the Swans.

Heath added: “Until the league’s finished we can’t make any predictions. We’ll just concentrate on being consistent and we won’t stop working until the last minute of the last game.”

Blues: Carroll, Cranny, Perkins, Clarke, Reader, Litherland, Halloran (Marshallsay 60), Doidge, Dixon, Linaker (Lane 80), Whyton. Subs not used: S Lambert, Boatswain.

* Chickerell United beat Cranborne 1-0 yesterday.

See tomorrow’s Echo for the full report