PLUCKY South Newton and Wishford, pictured, foughtback from a two-goal margin to pull off a second half shock as they booked their place in the next round of the Lord Bledisloe Cup.

On a blustery afternoon, Porton started the game on the front foot, taking full advantage of the wind and controlled the majority of the first half. South Newton's best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Billy Poole who forced a fantastic save from the Porton keeper.

Porton's control, however, paid off on two occasions and they went into the break 2-0 ahead.

Player/manager Keith Darling gave a stern team talk in the 15-minute rest, and it sparked his players into life.

Having lost the wind advantage, Porton struggled to match the passing flair of South Newton's players and Charlie Blake soon found the Porton net. The teams were back on level terms soon after, with South Newton's Rich Tutton getting his name on the scoresheet.

And as Porton’s heads dropped, Tutton secured South Newton's place in the next round, and completed a brace, with a precisely placed strike from the edge of Porton's 18-yard box, which left the keeper glaring in disbelief.

Porton had one late opportunity that was blazed over the bar from close range.

Manager Darling said: “We struggled in the first half with the wind and, although we were 2-0 down at half time, I was confident that once we got the wind in our favour, our passing play would bring us back into the game.

“Fair play to Porton, they made it an excellent game, but I am delighted with the way we fought back and didn't let our heads go down.”

SOUTH Newton and Wishford under 18s stretched their unbeaten run to four games after registering a well-earned point at leaders Littleton Blues.

The 0-0 draw rewarded South Newton, who only travelled to Winchester with 11 players, for their hard work in the imperfect conditions.

The two teams go head-tohead at the weekend, this time in the league cup.