AFC Portchester 3 Petersfield Town 1: PETERSFIELD Town’s hopes of securing some silverware this season had a set back after this defeat to Wessex Premier Division outfit AFC Portchester last Tuesday night.

The Rams led at half time but three unanswered goals from the home side in the second half took them into the semi finals of the Russell Cotes Cup.

The visitors edged the play in the first half and looked the better team in what developed into a tight game.

On five minutes Petersfield should have taken the lead when a cross from the right found Oliver Bailey running in on goal at the far post but he directed his header narrowly wide of the target.

Former Rams midfielder Ash Howes went close for Portchester on 26 minutes when a dipping shot from the edge of the box went just over the crossbar.

The home side could have been reduced to ten men shortly after this chance when Bailey raced clear of the defence and was pulled down by defender Josh Warren but he was only shown a yellow card. Joe Briggs fired the resulting free kick well over the target.

Petersfield took the lead on 32 minutes with a quick move which started on the right wing. Howard Neighbour raced on to a through ball along the touchline and his first time pass was met by Bailey just inside the penalty area and he steered his first time shot past keeper Lyall Beazley and into the net.

However, the second half belonged to the home side and they drew level from the penalty spot after 58 minutes. Geoff Dunn was hauled down as he made his way into the penalty area and Joe Bye despatched the spot kick.

Portchester went in front three minutes later when right back Rob Evans got forward and saw his initial shot saved by keeper Anthony Ender but he reacted quickest to knock home the rebound.

Briggs then had a shot well held by Beazley and Joe Richardson just had the ball nipped away from him as he looked to hit it home at the near post.

The home side booked their place in the next round with three minutes remaining when the ball was crossed from the left to the far post and substitute Miles Everett hit his shot back across Ender and into the far corner of the net.

Petersfield: Ender, O Searle (Needham), Norgate, Green, Hyde, Ford, Richardson, Neal, Neighbour, Briggs, Bailey. Subs not used: Buckland, Eaton, Uren, Geddes.