The scoreline was a touch harsh on the Robins who performed admirably on the night but were undone by three goals in 17 minutes in the second half after Javan Wright had pulled them level.

Portishead looked to attack from the off but couldn’t find a way past stand-in goalkeeper Joshua Attwood. Attwood saved from a Lucas Vowles header and tipped an Ethan Feltham strike over the bar before Bideford began to settle into the contest.

Despite this, Portishead were handed the opportunity to take the lead after Sam Wright fouled Vowles in the box although there was more than a suspicion of hand ball in the build up. Feltham just about squeezed his spot kick past Attwood to make it 1-0.

In response Archie Reay almost hit the target from the halfway line with an audacious attempt that had Finlay Croft concerned for a moment.

The Robins pull themselves level in first half stoppage time when Reay let fly with a shot that was only half cleared and Javan Wright found the bottom corner with a great finish from 18 yards.

Bideford then dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half as Javan Wright pulled a shot wide at the near post early on. Charlie Wright saw an effort just clear the crossbar, then was denied by a good save from Croft. Jamie Hearsey then tried his luck from outside of the box only to find Croft in the way once again.

The hosts had to turn to their bench and bring on Jack Thorne and Callum Eastwood to turn the tide back in their favour. Thorne found the net from close range after an incisive move and would’ve got a second straight after but for a fantastic save from Attwood.

Feltham then increased Portishead’s lead with a header from a corner and Thorne was played through to finish low past Attwood in the 81st minute.

To their credit, Bideford continued to push forward in the closing stages with the introduction of Jordan Ewing and James De Selincourt but could not find a way past Croft.

Bideford: Attwood, Winsor, S Wright, Slough, Byrne, J Wright (De Selincourt 87), Moyse, Reay, C Wright (Ewing 73), Hearsey (Roberts 68), Robinson (Woods 87). Sub not used: Darch.

Goals:
Portishead: Feltham 34 pen, 71, Thorne 64, 81
Bideford: J Wright 45+2

Attendance: 274