Andover 1 Cowes Sports 2 Andover 1 Portland United 1

It was always going to be tough to get back to the realities of the league.

After last week's superb show against Aldershot in the Hampshire Senior Cup, Andover toiled against inferior league opposition on Saturday and Tuesday.

Cowes Sports ran out surprise winners from the Portway on Saturday as goals at the end of the first and second halves cancelled out Justin Bennett's 37th strike of the season. And Bennett's 38th against Portland on Tuesday was only enough for a point as the Dorset visitors put in their second fine performance against the Lions in 10 days.

That said, Andover had eight or nine clear chances to finish United off, but just couldn't find a way through to goal, as Portland keeper Paul Myers played a blinder.

A fruitless first half saw Bennett, Vince Rusher and Kevin Reacord all foiled by Myers when they were in good positions.

Dave Whalley provided the sucker punch in the second period as the Lions poured forward, heading home past Kieron Drake, but Andover never gave up, and Bennett's deflected strike looped over Myers for a deserved leveller, and Dean Cole had a good effort ruled out for offside.

If the Lions keep playing like this, there's not too much to worry about - and one of their opponents looks certain to be on the wrong end of a hiding before much longer.

Manager Howard Goddard said after the game: "We had some awesome chances out there, but the keeper's made three or four unbelievable saves.

"We were the better side and we kept going, so all credit to our players for sticking to their game."