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Celebration: But Chris Skinner's goal couldn't prevent final day defeat for Bees Reserves

MARK Cuff's howler sentenced Bridport Reserves to an unceremonious 2-1 defeat in the Dorset Premier League's climax at Westland Sports last night.

With the match poised at 1-1 deep into the second half, keeper Cuff somehow flung the ball into his own net while attempting to collect it and blunt an attack.

And Westland, last season's league winners, remained resolute as the Bees' hopes of a fourth consecutive win evaporated.

Boss Mike Savage, who was immensely frustrated by the outcome, said: "I'm very disappointed because I thought there was only one team going to win it.

"We were the better side and you could see we had gained a lot of confidence from the last few matches.

"You can't legislate for a mistake though and when your goalkeeper makes an error it unfortunately usually leads to a goal."

The visitors enjoyed the best of the opening period and had opportunities to break the deadlock.

Shane Evans found himself clean through but instead of shooting with his left foot, he opted to shift the ball onto his favoured right side and the chance fizzled out.

Shortly after, Steven Churchill saw his powerful hit saved by the keeper, who was inspired between the sticks.

Westland emerged with more zest after the interval, but still it was against the run of play when they took the lead on the hour mark after a well-directed corner was headed over Cuff.

Undeservedly behind, Bridport countered and within minutes equalised when substitute Roger Cummings bypassed one opponent and slid through in-form striker Chris Skinner, who made no mistake.

With 20 minutes remaining the visitors sensed a winner, but couldn't foresee it arriving at the opposite end courtesy of Cuff's mystifying blunder, which gifted fourth-placed Westland the spoils.

Despite this deflating finale, boss Savage reflected on a season that delivered more than originally promised.

"When I realised how short of players we were I knew it was going to be a struggle," he conceded.

"Considering that, I'm happy, especially with how we've finished."

However, Savage remained coy on his own future, which looks to be at the discretion of Royston Davies' impending successor.

"As far as I'm concerned, I was here for one season and I don't know what the new manager will have in mind.

"I've enjoyed it and I'd like to stay - but at the moment it's up in the air."

Bees: Cuff, G Maidment (Darby, 75), Walker, Thomas (Cummings, ht), J Maidment, McClements, Day, Ward, Churchill, Skinner, Evans.

9:17am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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