PORTLAND United secured a deserved draw away to Team Solent at Test Park in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Ryan McKechnie levelled in the 82nd minute with a header after a good cross to the back post from substitute Lewis Clarke when both teams were down to ten men after conceding a goal.

The opening strike came in the 26th minute after a through ball was played to Mitford by Wiseman, courtesy of a deflection, who slotted under Blues’ keeper Sean Lillington.

The match saw the Blues’ third red card in four games as Ross Doidge was sent off in the 76th minute for a second yellow card for bringing down Wiseman.

Portland United manager Simon Browne said: “He was unlucky because other than that it’s his second game back for a couple of weeks since he has been injured and he played really well.”

In a furious end to the match the Solent captain Curtis Thorn was sent off in the 80th minute.

Alex Halloran had a good free kick opportunity in the 22nd minute after Sanchez Baker was brought down on the edge of the box but he sent the ball over.

Buckler went close towards the end of the first half with a header as the home side went into the break with the lead.

Billy Mitchell went close but he couldn’t quite get on the end of a cross from Halloran.

From the 65th minute the Blues had a good spell, with a free kick from McKechnie hitting the cross bar, Aston Butcher having a header cleared off the line and Tom Bearwish forcing a good save from the keeper.

Browne said: “Had we taken one of those chances I think we would have then gone on to win the game.”

Reflecting on the match Browne said: “it’s another point away from home, another late equaliser but another red card for us as well which is a bit of a pain.

“We got a deserved point but it was like last week when we had them on the back foot and got a red card, which meant we were trying to do everything to try and get something out of the game.”

Speaking about their recent red cards Browne said: “We’ve got to try and get rid of that because we’re 1-0 down back down to ten men and we’re making life difficult for ourselves.”

Portland United are next in action tomorrow, when they host Verwood Town in the quarter final of the Dorset Senior Cup.

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Butcher, Buckler, Bessant, Doidge, Halloran, Mitchell (Sharp 60), McKechnie, Baker (Clarke 60), Bearwish. Subs not used: Godfrey, Payne.

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