BRIDPORT Reserves’ manager Sean Annetts was left feeling “absolutely gutted” after his side let a three-goal lead slip in the Dorset Senior Trophy final as they lost 4-3 to Merley Cobham Sports.

Everything looked rosy for the Bees after 25 minutes as they sailed into a comfortable lead thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Tom Bearwish.

But Merley pulled a goal back before the break through Lee Wilkins.

The Bees were reduced to 10 men when Tommy Blair was red-carded, but at 3-2 – following a James Bailey-Pearce effort – and with the game in stoppage time, they looked like they would hold out for the win.

However, two strikes within a minute sunk them including a 30-yard wonder winner from Max Crow.

After the game a dejected Annetts said that if his side had gone into half-time with a clean sheet, they would’ve won the game.

He said: “That (Merley’s first goal in the 40th minute) was key.

“We had a bit of edginess at half-time and if we’d gone in 3-0 then we’d have won the game.

“After 50 minutes, we lost Tommy Blair and it was going to be hard from then.

“Everyone worked so hard and we held on but the two goals in stoppage time was disappointing. I’m absolutely gutted because, after 35 minutes, the game should’ve been won.”

The Bees now have five league games in nine days to conclude their season and Annetts knows he has a tough job to pick his players up.

“It will be difficult but it’s my job to lift them for tonight’s game (against Westland Sports) and we need to win,” he added.