STURMINSTER Newton boss Neil Coates hailed goalkeeper Garfield Charles' cat-like agility after his penalty save secured an impressive goalless draw at Hamworthy Recreation on Saturday.

Newton may have the Dorset Premier League's worst strike rate with 14 goals from 16 games - but few can fault their defensive dominance.

They stifled the division's second-placed side for much of the contest.

But their share of the spoils looked to be slipping away when defender Danny Carter was adjudged to have pulled back Rec hitman Chris Rigler in the area.

The super striker picked himself up for the spot kick, but Charles leapt to his left to produce a stunning stop and earn his team an unlikely draw.

His late heroics left manager Coates purring and he said: "Everyone was dumbfounded when the penalty was given but low and behold, Garfield pulled off an absolutely fantastic save.

"He's a top man and made a great one-handed save in the bottom left-hand corner.

"I was told in the bar afterwards that Chris hasn't missed any penalties for a very long time, so that was a fantastic effort from Garfield.

"Ham Rec knew they were in a game and it would have been so unjust for us to lose that way.

"We played out of our skins and thoroughly deserved at least a point."

While Coates knew beating the DPL title-chasers would always prove tough, he was impressed with the way his men frustrated Rec.

"We knew we were going to struggle to go there and win, but we did manage to take the game to them," Coates added.

"We stopped them from playing and they just couldn't break us down.

"They ran out of ideas and played quite a lot of long balls, which was brilliant for me.

"That's not how they play and I know they want to get the ball down and pass it around.

"So when they started going route one, I knew we were doing well."

Elsewhere, Poole Borough held leaders Portland United to a 1-1 draw at Turlin Moor.

A John Bates own goal after 79 minutes appeared to have given the visitors a huge victory in their title push.

But Sean Gallagher levelled for the Hornets at the death after Rodrigo Pons' close range effort was saved.

Swanage Town and Herston moved up to fourth in the standings with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph at Sturminster Marshall.

Aaron Corby's header put Swans in charge after 20 minutes but a Ross Humphries penalty drew Marshall level five minutes before the break.

The home side threatened to snatch a winner but it was the visitors who reigned supreme, after Paul Yerby netted 10 minutes from the end.

Elsewhere, Cobham Sports battled bravely but went down to a 2-0 loss at Bridport.

Cranborne suffered an afternoon to forget as they were thumped 4-0 at home to Chickerell United.

And in the day's other game, Wincanton Town triumphed 3-1 over Hamworthy United at the County Ground.