BRIDPORT 3 BISHOP SUTTON 2

WARREN Byerley’s late header got Bridport out of jail at St Mary’s Field as the hosts booked a meeting with Shepton Mallet in the next round of the Les Phillips Cup.

The Bees made hard work of Saturday’s home tie against Bishop Sutton, after which boss Trevor Senior admitted his side “didn’t play very well at all”.

The sides shared four goals in the first period with home striker Tom Richardson cancelling out Jacob Watson’s opener and then Ryan Dovell levelling for Senior’s men after Watson had headed his second.

And just when it looked like an extra half an hour was going to be needed, Byerley glanced in a Shane Evans cross in injury time to secure a 3-2 win.

“All credit to Bishop Sutton,” said a relieved Senior. “They certainly didn’t look like a side that has only picked up one point in the league this season.

“They had a young team and gave it a really good go, and I think they deserved to take the game into extra time.

“We had to come from behind twice and didn’t really play very well at all.

“We looked lethargic and there was no real tempo to our game, which hasn’t been the case recently.

“But the good thing is that we still won while not performing well, and that has got to be pleasing.

“And we certainly had enough chances during the game to make it more convincing.”

Richardson went close in the early stages with a close-range header that went wide.

However, the visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when Bees keeper Ashley Weeks spilled the ball and Watson had an easy tap in.

Four minutes later and the hosts were level, Richardson converting Jamie Beasley’s corner with an effort that went in off the crossbar.

Bridport had the better of the next 25 minutes but Bishop Sutton regained the initiative when Watson was allowed acres of space in the area to make it 2-1.

The Bees responded quickly and Dovell turned his marker to fire a left-foot shot past the opposing keeper.

The best chances in the second half fell to Byerley and Bridport substitute Gary Bulman, with one of the latter’s attempts on goal hitting the bar 10 minutes from the end.

However, there was still time to win it and Byerley did just that as the game entered time added on.

Bees: Weeks, A Symes, Clarke, Evans, Hill, M Buckler, Stewart, Dovell, Richardson (Bulman 58), Byerley, Beasley (Condliffe 77). Sub not used: S Buckler.

Man of the match: Chris Clarke

Attendance: 95