Portland United 2 Andover 2

ANDOVER extended their league record to five games unbeaten at a chilly Grove Terrace stadium on Saturday, but once again they conceded a late goal to deny themselves all three points.

After going behind to a seventh minute goal another brace by Justin Bennett put the Lions in a winning position but, unable to find the killer punch, Portland scored two minutes from time to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat. Once Andover settled they controlled the game, especially after half-time, and the disappointment of not completing a deserved victory was there for all to see.

The Portland goalkeeper came up with several crucial saves, and the Lions could claim they had three good penalty appeals turned down, but their own efforts should have won the three points.

The opening goal was an early Christmas present for Portland. Colin Hopkins left his area to clear a loose ball but the clearance fell for Portland's Andy Mason who, from ten yards inside his own half, had time to lob into the Lions' unguarded net.

Glen Damen responded with a 20-yarder that took paint off the outside of the post but Portland had a good effort that really should have put them two up.

Gradually the Lions settled again and on a superb pitch their approach work was always constructive.

Vince Rusher and Terry Lynch were excellent in the middle of the park and it was Rusher's quality that set up the Lions' equaliser. He weaved his way into the Portland area, got to the byeline and laid the ball back to Bennett who, from ten yards made scoring look easy.

Andover started the second half strongly and Callum Earl within two minutes of the restart had a drive tipped over by the goalkeeper.

As the final quarter of an hour approached Bennett slotted home his second after a corner was not cleared.

The defining point of the game arrived with ten minutes left. Bennett ran clear only to be brought down just outside the area by goalkeeper Paul Gadsby. It was a last defender situation and Gadsby was lucky to receive just a yellow card.

He then pushed Rusher''s free-kick around the post. Within a minute he again performed heroics to deny Rusher again from a free-kick.

With two minutes left David Newland, a Portland substitute, finally celebrated his team's good fortune by scoring the equaliser with virtually his first kick.

Full report, tables and fixtures in the Advertiser sport section.