Payne's stunner earns Torpoint priceless draw at much-fancied Portishead Town

TORPOINT Athletic secured a superb, yet fully-deserved point at title-hopefuls Portishead Town on Saturday thanks to Tom Payne’s stunning free-kick.

The Point headed to Bristol with several missing which gave an opportunity to include four under 18s in the squad which is a massive credit to the club’s youth system.

However, it was the home side that started well and took a third minute lead. Kyle Egan played the ball through to Mitch Osmond and he fired home into the net off the far post from an acute angle.

Ten minutes later, as the hosts were searching to double their lead, Ethan Feltham saw an effort at the near post palmed off the line by a good save from Ty Rowe.

Midway through the first half the hosts threatened again as Egan pulled the ball back to Osmond who shot narrowly over from the edge of the box.

Torpoint gradually worked their way into the contest and just before the half-hour mark skipper Elliott Crawford sent a right wing free-kick into the area which skimmed Joe Rapson’s foot at the far post. Then, just before the break, Sam Pearson’s ball into the area found Rapson who shot straight at James Walker.

Two minutes after the restart the visitors made their intentions known as midfielder Tom Payne had a shot from 20 yards was saved by Walker.

On the hour mark a cross by Osmond found Egan who was denied by summer signing Rowe, and four minutes late good build-up play by Rapson ended with the attacker again being denied by the home keeper.

However, on 67 minutes the Point were level with a moment of magic from Payne. From a free-kick on the far right of the area, he sublimely curled the ball over a crowded area and into the top left-hand corner of the goal to the delight of the travelling supporters in a healthy crowd of 281.

With ten minutes remaining, the visitors came agonisingly close to a winner. Rapson played in sub Josh Scargill, however his effort from the edge of the area skimmed the head of a defender to send it narrowly over the crossbar.

However, the hosts then nearly got a second in the fourth minute of injury-time as Jaden Neale sent in a cross which Egan put just wide.

Torpoint boss Dean Cardew hailed a superb display from the Cornishmen, saying: “It was a really good point away from home against one of the title favourites which backed up our performance in midweek against another side who will have their eyes on being up there at the end.

“I was delighted with the hard work we’re getting through and the resilience we showed to come back after going behind.

“We now don’t play again until Saturday which gives us the chance to nurse a few of the injuries we have ahead of another tough trip to Shepton Mallet (3pm).

TORPOINT ATHLETIC: Ty Rowe; Dave Barker, Sam Hepworth, Sam Morgan, Fred Chapman, Elliott Crawford (capt – Tom Hensman, 82), Tom Payne (Mckenzie Hyatt, 90+1), Sam Pearson, Gary Hird (Josh Scargill, 70), Joe Rapson (Jack Tupper, 89), Lewis Flowers. Subs not used: Travis Goodall.

Torpoint Athletic man-of-the-match: Sam Hepworth.