SWANAGE Town & Herston almost became the first side to defeat Dorset Premier League leaders Blandford United in the league this term, losing 2-1 after stoppage time heartbreak.

Swans had led for 81 minutes thanks to Cody Moore’s early opener, only for the Royals to find an equaliser through Mark Ford in the final minute.

A penalty awarded deep into stoppage time allowed Steve Smith to snatch all three points for unbeaten Blandford.

Moore’s ninth-minute strike was a fine piece of solo play, the attacker finding the top corner with a bending effort.

As expected with Blandford’s league record, Swans were on the backfoot for much of the game.

Eventually the pressure told in the closing stages, with Ford equalising by turning and firing home from a long-thrown into the box.

A penalty in the fifth minute of added time allowed Smith to give the Royals the win.

Swans’ misery was compounded by the fact that goalkeeper and captain Taylor Hibbs suffered a serious knee injury during the match.

They remain eighth in the Dorset Premier League table with four games remaining of their league campaign.

Swans: Hibbs, J Hughes, B Smith, Olly Smith, Streams, Keates (Cavendish, 75), Lee, Dyke, Ocean Smith (B Hughes, 80), Reeks, Moore (White, 83).