IT is not often a goalkeeper gets on the scoresheet for his side in football other than the occasional own goal.

However, Porthleven’s number one Benji Bryant managed to open his account for the season as his strike two minutes from time helped earn the Fishermen a 1-1 draw at Penzance in the South West Peninsula League West.

His opportunity came as a result of a switch in position though, with Bryant playing the game as a centre forward after injuries and unavailability forced Port to take just 11 players to Penlee Park.

Manager Dennis Annear, who went between the sticks for Port, said he was pleased to see his regular stopper do a job up the other end of the pitch.

Annear said: “At first I didn’t know who had scored and it wasn’t until they were coming back that I found out it was Benji.

“He had been working hard all game and had played through cramp, so it is nice to see him get a goal with his chance to play up front.”

In the first half, Port had plenty of chances but failed to capitalise on any of the pressure they built up.

With just three minutes on the clock, Liam Hunter let a golden chance go begging when he sliced a shot wide inside the six yard box after Jordan Annear stepped over the ball.

Port’s top scorer had opportunities to break the deadlock too, but both times saw shots saved by the goalkeeper in one-on-ones.

Against the run of play, the Magpies went ahead a minute before the break as Gavin Boon turned past Dan Tarrant in the box before sending a shot on the angle past Annear.

The tempo in the second half dropped a touch as Penzance, sitting two places above the relegation zone, looked to cling onto their lead.

Bodies were thrown on the line as they tried to keep Port at bay with Liam Andrews just flicking over the ball for a corner after Annear’s free kick looked to be heading in.

He was in the right place again to block another Annear effort when he cleared the striker’s volley off the goal-line.

They could not hold out though and with two minutes left, Bryant reacted quickest to the rebound after Annear’s free kick was saved.

An offside flag was put up, but referee Tim Burley over-ruled the call from his assistant, handing a point to Porthleven who next face Millbrook at home on Saturday.

Reflecting on the result, Annear said: “Realistically I thought we should have been 2-0 up at half time and should have won, but the boys battled and worked hard to keep going to the end.”

PORTHLEVEN: D Annear, Wormington, Hunter, Orchard, Tarrant, D Greet, Bryant, Jorey, T Annear (c), J Annear, Williams.