ANDOVER New Street made their longest journey of the season to Portland only to be denied a point they deserved on the day by a goal in second-half stoppage time.

Street again had selection problems with the experience of Liam Hibberd, Luke Dempsey, Ross Cook, Joe Chamberlain and Shane Lock all missing and Malachai Dotse having moved to Bashley in the week.

This gave Kimron Quashie a debut in midfield and a chance for three of the Under 18 boys to sample the first team environment on the bench.

New Street kicked up the slope in the first half and made a bright start. 

It was Street who made the breakthrough on 16 minutes after winning a corner on the left.

Mikey Davis swung the kick into the area and Scott Hassell, captain for the day – a good reward for a first-class club man – rose the highest to power a header into the roof of the net. (0-1)

The visiting defence then survived a hectic scramble in their own six-yard box with the ball twice close to crossing the line and Mayo saving well before Williams was narrowly beaten to a through ball by keeper Bruton as Street broke forward.

Ethan Gee found space for Brad Waters but the angle was too tight and within seconds Portland had scored at the other end. A cross from the right was deflected high into the air, Street could not get it away and Ryan Mckechnie headed the ball in to a largely unguarded net to ensure the scores were level at the break. (1-1)

On the restart, Portland continued to dominate possession and were rewarded a minute into stoppage time when Street scrambled a cross out of the area only for McKechnie, very much a home stalwart, to rifle the ball into the top of the net from some 25 yards. (2-1)

The sun and temperature were dropping sharply in unison but on the pitch it was all New Street as they sought an equaliser, but the home side hung on to take all three points.

Street’s assistant manager Jamie Dockree said: "A tough one to take with a late winner but so proud of the performance. A difficult place to go with 16-year-olds on the bench and it took a last-minute “worldie” to deny us a point. Much more to come from this group."