Portland boss Stuart Heath felt his side “deserved to win” after drawing with reigning champions Ham-worthy Rec on the opening day of the Dorset Premier League season.

The Blues were much the better team in the first half and deservedly opened the scoring through Nick Etherington.

The visitors found a leveller midway through the second period, courtesy of Wayne Hole, and the same man gave them the lead nine minutes later to leave the Blues staring defeat in the face.

However, substitute Liam Beades, who like Etherington joined the islanders from neighbours Chickerell this summer, popped up with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Heath said: “We played really in the first half but then lost our shape a bit in the second half.

“They haven’t won the league for nothing and they come into games slowly but surely, they get good possession and tire you out. That’s what I felt happened in the second half.

“But our players showed great character to come back after going 2-1 behind and that bodes well for the rest of the season.

“It’s good to get the first game out of the way and get a point on the board. Both teams knew it was a big game as both sides have the potential to enjoy a good season, so neither of us wanted to lose the game.

“I felt we deserved to win the game and I think Hamworthy Rec felt the same as well but we’ll take a point, which was the least we deserved, against a very good side.

“I feel we will only get better as the season goes on and any team who finishes above Hamworthy Rec will have a good chance of winning it.”

The Blues lost striker Adam Linaker to injury after just 19 minutes at Grove Corner. Heath added: “Adam was doubtful before the game with a hamstring strain and unfor-tunately it went again about 10 minutes in so we’ll assess him this week and it may be that we give him a good rest.

“It’s a long season and he’s an important player for us, especially as we’ve already got Matt White out for the season.”

After a rusty opening, the Blues dusted off the cobwebs to take charge of Saturday’s clash.

Etherington, Alex Godfrey and substitute Richard Marshallsay all tried their luck but neither ser- iously tested visiting keeper Kevin Leonard.

That was until the 35th minute when Leonard’s parry, from a Marshallsay effort, was tucked away by the alert Etherington.

It was almost 2-0 prior to the interval but Godfrey’s stinging volley whistled past the left-hand post.

Home gloveman Wayne Gifford did well to thwart Jamie Moores but he could do nothing to prevent Hole drawing level on 67 minutes.

The Rec winger was in the right place once again soon after, finding the top corner to put the champions ahead.

Portland refused to wilt and snatched a draw late on when Beades turned in a cross-cum-shot from the impressive Etherington.

Blues: Gifford, Wells, Carter, Charles, Cranny, Miles, Smith (Beades 67), Coggins (Austin 77), Etherington, Linaker (Marshallsay 19), Godfrey.