PORTLAND United boss Callum Brooks insisted he is “not disheartened” by the Blues’ 8-1 hammering at Baffins Milton Rovers.

Rudi Blankson hit four goals and Tommy Scutt bagged a first-half hat-trick, adding to a James Cowan strike, while Portland’s Eder Batista prodded home after Ryan McKechnie’s penalty was saved.

Portland were without seven experienced players through club exits, injuries and unavailability but Brooks remained typically positive.

“I’m not disheartened at all,” he told Echosport.

“Once a team goes three or four it could always go a little bit like that.

“I’m just thankful the reserves have been very well run and are in good order numbers-wise, because it saved us from embarrassment of not being able to field a team.

“We should’ve had two or three (goals) in the first half but we’re lacking a killer instinct in and around the box.

“There’s times where we’re in a great position in the final third and that final ball’s a little short and we’re open on the transition.

“There was lots of nice combination play but a lack of end product.

“If it was a Premier League team, the crowd would be screaming ‘shoot!’”