HAMWORTHY Recreation blew a two-goal lead and their 100 per cent record as reigning champions Portland United fought back with a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

Rec's Luke Stone, the Dorset Premier League's 40-goal top scorer last season, took to five his total for the new campaign with a brace either side of the interval.

But the tide turned when United's Ashley Smith netted with a deflected effort midway through the second half before Ross Doidge levelled.

And with just three minutes to play, Lewis Whyton popped up with the all-important winner to hand Portland an early three-point advantage at the summit.

Parley also battled back from two down to move up to third with a win 4-2 at Westland Sports.

The hosts struck twice in the opening 15 minutes but Matt Newbery converted a penalty to instigate the comeback on 57 minutes.

Adam Trimby levelled before Jon Cook and Tobias Holmes wrapped up the points in the final 15 minutes.

Stuart Cannie, Matt Steer, Luke Whittaker, Grant Cormack and Aaron Atkinson all scored as Merley Cobham Sports racked up a consummate 5-2 victory at Mere Town.

In the Purbecks, two late goals from Josh Reavenall-Nuete handed Swanage Town & Herston a 2-0 success over rock-bottom Sturminster Marshall.

Gary Bartlett's second-half equaliser proved in vain for Wareham Rangers who succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Shaftesbury Town.

Dan Manuel's early opener was not enough for Hamworthy United reserves to arrest their early-season slide in a 2-1 defeat at Bridport reserves.

Shane Barney's double inspired Poole Borough to their first win of the season, a 2-1 success over fellow strugglers Blandford United. Luke Crane netted for the Royals.

Cranborne are also searching for their first win of the season following their 4-0 crushing at Tintinhull. Jacob Broomfield (2), Loic Herouard and Joe Smith did the damage.