Portland United extended their unbeaten record on Saturday – but had to settle for a point against Poole Borough.

Midfield dynamo Richard Marshall-say grabbed a 65th-minute equaliser when he slotted home an Ashley Wells cross to cancel out the Hornets’ opener.

Tom Carter had earlier committed a foul on the stroke of half-time that resulted in a spot-kick, which was duly dispatched by Ross Mills.

The Blues bossed proceedings at Turlin Moor but were unable to net a second goal that would have earned them back-to-back Magna Dorset Premier League victories.

Instead, they recorded their fourth draw from five matches to date and dropped one position to eighth in the standings.

Portland manager Stuart Heath said: “I thought we were excellent for most of the game and it was one I felt we deserved to win, but it didn’t work out that way.

“I was delighted with the performance but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve, especially at the start of a season.

“Playing against Poole, who are a very physical side, was always going to be a big test for us but we matched them in that department straight from the first whistle.

“We were the better side in the first half, so to go into the break 1-0 behind was a kick in the teeth. But we kept probing and got the equaliser.

“It was just a shame we couldn’t get our full rewards because we wanted to go on and win the game. It hasn’t fallen for us in the final third, but we need to be more clinical.”

Heath expressed words of encouragement for defender Carter, whose needless foul brought about the penalty from which Poole opened the scoring.

He said: “Tom held his hand up in the changing room but I am certain that he is the type of player that will learn from his mistake.

“Tom didn’t put a foot wrong in the second half and that bodes well for the rest of the season because he is a strong character with the correct attitude.”

One blow for Heath was the premature exit of striker Liam Beades, who could be sidelined for a fortnight having picked up a groin strain.

The Blues’ chief added: “Hopefully Adam Linaker will be back next week and that will give us more options and experience in front of goal, which we need with Liam being out.”

Blues: Gifford, Wells, Austin, Cranny, Carter, Smith, Godfrey (Churchill 75), Pattison (Sibley 70), Marshallsay, Beades (Miles 46), Etherington.

* Chickerell crashed 4-0 at home to Sturminster Marshall – report tomorrow.