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That was the verdict of AFC Portchester boss Dave Carter after a thrilling, rollercoaster ride of a Wessex League victory at Shaftesbury.

After storming into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 24 minutes, the Royals needed a late, late winner from Sam Pearce to claim a 5-4 victory in north Dorset.

It was Portchester’s fourth straight Premier Division success of 2022/23 and keeps them level on points with early-season pacesetters Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Sam Pearce, left, wheels away - followed by a delighted Marley Ridge - following his late, late winner at Shaftesbury. Picture by Daniel Haswell.

‘We were absolutely cruising (at 3-0),’ said Carter. ‘Then we just fell apart. Defensively, we were all over the place for 15 minutes.

‘I think a bit of complacency set in (at 3-0), we’d won 5-0 (v Brockenhurst) the previous week … we started taking too many touches on the ball.

‘We attacked like Barcelona but defended like the Dog & Duck - but three points is the main thing. If you’d offered me a 5-4 win before the game I’d have taken it.’

George Barker, recalled to the starting XI, struck twice as Portchester opened up an early 2-0 lead.

Brett Pitman, left, and Marley Ridge after the former had put AFC Portchester 4-2 up at Shaftesbury. Picture by Daniel Haswell

And the scoreline was even better when Marley Ridge tucked away a third on 24 minutes.

Back came Shaftesbury, though, and it was 3-2 after 35 minutes thanks to goals from Sam Lanahan and Ash Pope - Felipe Barcelos having missed a golden chance from close range in between to make it 4-1.

Portchester lost Curt De Costa, who was playing at centre half, before half-time following a clash of heads with Cameron Beard. He was stretchered off to be replaced by Ryan Wilkins.

Brett Pitman made it 4-2 midway through the second half before Elliott Wheeler was penalised for a foul on Beard inside the 18-yard box.

Though Steve Mowthorpe kept out Beard’s spot-kick, the same player converted the rebound. And it was 4-4 shortly after when Lanahan grabbed his second.

Mowthorpe produced a superb save to keep out Brian Foulger’s header before Pearce struck a dramatic winner after Shaftesbury had failed to clear a free-kick.

There was still time for the hosts to be reduced to 10 men when one of their players was shown a straight red for what Carter described as a ‘horrendous’ tackle on Pitman.

Portchester bid for a fifth successive Wessex League win at Baffins Milton Rovers on Tuesday.

‘We attacked like Barcelona, but defended like the Dog & Duck’ – AFC Portchester win nine-goal Wessex League thriller at Shaftesbury