Portland UNITED 1

WINCANTON TOWN 2

TWO lapses in concentration knocked Portland United off top spot in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

The Blues “switched off” at two set-pieces and paid the price as Wincanton inflicted a second reversal of the season on Stuart Heath’s troops.

However, the island chief felt defeat was somewhat harsh on his men. He said: “We were bitterly disappointed to lose.

“The players put in so much effort but just fell short. We conceded with just a minute or two to go and it was tough to take, especially in the way we conceded both goals.

“I don’t think either team did enough to win the game and I think a draw would have been a fair result.

“We fully deserved our first defeat of the season but we didn’t deserve to lose on Saturday.

“Credit to Wincanton though. They played to their strengths and they will be a force this season.”

One particular strength was a Rory Delap-esque long-throw specialist.

Heath added: “We found out beforehand that they had one lad with a long throw, and with the wind it was going 40 or 50 yards.

“They also had some big players which made it difficult but our players defended well throughout the game.

“We just switched off for 10 seconds, at two set-pieces, in the entire 90 minutes and they punished us.”

The two incidents in question saw 40-yard free-kicks from Daniel Golden evade everyone in the box and sail straight into the back of Nick Carroll’s goal.

United’s Adam Linaker had equalised in between but there was to be no share of the spoils as Town struck late at Grove Corner.

Heath, whose side drop to fourth in the table, said: “We showed good character to come back and I felt we looked the more likely to get a winner, but we just could not get the delivery or final ball right. We are still in a decent position, we’ve got to move on and maintain our belief and confidence.”

Blues: Carroll, Perkins, Wells, Carter, Whyton, Doidge (Cranny 70), Halloran, Litherland, Toghill, Linaker, Sheridan (Pattison 65). Subs not used: Dailey, Bickerstaff.

Attendance: 108