BOSS Trevor Senior admitted his charges were “taught a lesson” after Bridport crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Clevedon Town.

Three goals in each half of this preliminary round tie sentenced the disjointed Bees to their first defeat in a 90-minute match at St Mary’s Field since January 2.

While Bridport appeared to freeze, Zamaretto League Division One S&W outfit Clevedon turned in a thoroughly professional display.

That Bees’ gloveman Sam Filkins was adjudged to be man of the match underlined the total dominance the visitors enjoyed against the hosts, who looked decidedly lethargic.

Senior had no complaints with the margin of his side’s defeat and conceded that Filkins had prevented Clevedon from racking up a cricket score.

He said: “In the first half we didn’t perform at all and although we can get away with it at our level, Clevedon punished us and we were 3-0 down by half-time.

“They were on to everything and shut us down. Their movement was very good and they kept the ball, passed it well and took their chances.

“It keeps everybody’s feet on the ground because we were taught a lesson, and I’d rather this happen in the cup than the league, which is our bread and butter.

“Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say we were beaten by a better side, so I’ve told the guys not to get too down.”

On Filkins’ heroics, Senior added: “If it wasn’t for Sam it could have been double figures as he made half a dozen great saves, especially in the first half.

“His performance was the one positive thing to come out of the game. It was a great learning curve for him and despite conceding six goals, he came through it well.”

An early effort by Darren Watts proved to be a false dawn as Clevedon controlled the opening exchanges and bombarded Filkins.

The Bridport custodian answered all the questions asked of him – the highlight being an acrobatic one-handed dive to beat away a swerving free-kick – but even he was powerless to stop Kyle O’Donovan from bagging the first goal on 28 minutes.

And the tie was effectively settled courtesy of a brace from Adam Mahdi, who capitalised on ponderous defending to score twice in 10 minutes prior to the interval.

By now Clevedon were flexing their muscles and treating a bumper crowd to an exhibition of polished football.

Filkins thwarted substitute Neikell Plummer from the penalty spot after skipper Darren Lock had been penalised, but O’Donovan added his second shortly afterwards.

A misunderstanding between Filkins and Lock then enabled George Brimson to pounce, before Josh White completed Bridport’s misery in the dying moments.

Bees: Filkins, A Symes, Condliffe (C Clarke 61), Lock, Senior, Hayter, J Symes, Wise, Legg (Evans 61), Dovell (Hill 67), Watts. Booked: Condliffe, Lock Man of the Match: Sam Filkins Attendance: 184