10-man Port impress in Boro draw

TWICE the 10 men of Port had to fight back to earn themselves a well-deserved share of the points as they drew 2-2 at Conwy Borough, writes GARETH WILLIAMS.

It was a game blighted by controversy and awash with contentious decisions.

The main controversy came shortly before the interval, when defensive mainstay Iddon Price received his marching orders from referee Nathan Bartram, acting on the advice of his assistant.

That decision also gave the Borough a penalty which Corrig McGonigle converted for an interval lead.

The decision also served to inspire a Port fightback and, despite being reduced in numbers, they took the game to their opponents throughout the second period.

As the second period started it became clear that going a goal down and being reduced to 10 men was not going to break Port spirits. They readjusted, with Rob Evans switching to full back and Josh Banks, who was putting in another top class performance, moved to central defence.

On 67 minutes the deserved equaliser arrived when keeper Heald came under pressure.

The ball fell loose for John Owen to coolly direct the ball into an unguarded net.

A break from Iwan Lewis and the travelling support were urging their team on to look for the winner.

Conwy were a threat on the break and had a goal disallowed for offside.

Port hopes then took a serious dent when the ball was given away in midfield and they were punished by pacy sub Liam Morris. He broke left and his low angled shot beat Paul Pritchard.

Almost immediately Owen raced behind the home defence and unleashed a powerful shot which Heald kept out at his near post.

Pressure continued and Banks drove goalwards.

A melee in the goalmouth ensued, the ball was not cleared and there was sub Rhys Alun in the right place at the right time to belt the ball over the line and secure a point on what had been a really difficult afternoon.

A grand total of eight yellow and one red were shown during the afternoon.

It must be added that the game was competitive but not in any way an over physical encounter.

A point for Port which could have been three but bearing all of the circumstances it must go down as a point gained.