Portishead Town lost 3-2 at home to Hengrove, who scored a late winner to take all three points.

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A HARD-working Portishead Town slipped to their first Toolstation Division 1 defeat in five games at home to Hengrove Athletic in what Town manager Ray Johnston labelled ‘a game of two halves’.

Nick Lawton was a key cog in the Town midfield as they started brightly. But it was the visitors who took the lead on nine minutes through Ricky Clark, who finished with aplomb past Seb Gribble.

The home side levelled things up on 16 minutes through the lively Lawton, after good work by Ash McGrane and Mark Mapstone. Portishead took the lead on 31 minutes after Andy Lynch whipped in a corner which was met by captain James Clarke who volleyed the ball towards goal, hitting winger Mapstone on its way into the net.

The home side made a lacklustre start to the second-half as Ben Crewe rattled the bar with a smart 25-yard drive. Portishead mustered up something of a response as McGrane played a neat one-two with Clarke who was denied by the visiting keeper.

Moments later Mapstone set up Clarke, who was unlucky not to extend his side’s one-goal advantage.

Lee Brice came on for Town to replace the impressive Lynch, as manager Ray Johnston reshuffled the pack. Soon after, Lawton and Mapstone both had chances after some good work from the lively McGrane.

The home side were punished on 76 minutes after influential sub Dunn drove the ball into the net, then at the death, Dunn cut inside before finding Guibarra, who netted a winner from the edge of the box.

Manager Ray Johnston said: “We weren’t able to cope with Hengrove in the second half as we did in the first. The future is bright for the younger lads who have developed through the youth squad.”