BRIDPORT 1 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC 1

ON-LOAN Jamie Symes scored for the first time in his second spell at Bridport but the hosts had to be content with a point at St Mary’s Field.

The midfielder struck moments after the half-time interval, lashing home from 12 yards only for Gavin Hammon to equalise 14 minutes from the end.

There had been two good pieces of news for the Bees before the kick-off. The first was that the pitch, thanks to the efforts of the ground staff, club committee and a number of volunteers, had survived the rain earlier in the week.

And secondly, it had been confirmed that Symes’ loan deal from Dorchester Town had been extended for another month until March 16.

The playing surface wasn’t perfect but Bridport coped with the heavy pitch and enjoyed a number of chances throughout the first half.

A Symes shot from the edge of the area was saved, Matt Condliffe fired just past a post and Michael Hailu tested the Buckland keeper before a Symes cross just eluded Ryan Dovell.

At the other end, Sam Filkins didn’t have too much to do as the visitors were reduced to long-range efforts.

Aside from not scoring, the only other downside to the Bees’ first half was the recurrence of a hamstring injury for Shane Evans and he was replaced by Adam Stordy.

Bridport’s dominance continued in the second period with Symes making an almost immediate impact.

Chris Luke won possession, slid the ball through to Clarke and he set-up Symes to sweep home off a post for a 1-0 lead.

Man of the match Chris Clarke went close with a header, but the Bees were caught by a sucker-punch on 76 minutes.

A quick throw-in was played forward and Condliffe got his head to the ball but couldn’t get enough on it to prevent it going through to Hammon who fired past Filkins.

And had it not been for a couple of last-ditch clearances from Luke and skipper Ryan Hayter then Buckland might have snatched the win themselves.

Bees: S Filkins, Condliffe, Hailu, Evans (Stordy 37), C Clarke, Hayter, Luke, Wise, Dovell, Symes, B Clarke. Subs not used: Legg, M Buckler Match sponsor: Matthew Gale (Building Contractor, Bridport)