A lively opening from the home side saw Nailsea pinned into their own half for the first twenty minutes, but for all their pressure Portishead couldn’t muster much in terms of efforts on Trautmann’s goal. United then took the initiative, with lively young wingers Chandler and Barnard causing problems down the flanks, and Buxton and McClellan both going close from distance.

The turning point in the game came just after the break when a Portishead striker launched a two-footed kung-fu assault on Roberts, leaving the referee with no option but to produce the red card. This served to give Nailsea the confidence they needed to take control of the game, and they soon had the lead when a cross from Darren Watts found his brother Neil to stab home from close range.

A couple of substitutions from the home side brought some pressure on the United back four, but the combination of Roberts, Holman, Sampson and Attwood was like a rock. On the one occasion when United’s defence was breached, the linesman’s flag denied Portishead an equaliser.

Nailsea secured the points when a quality cross from impressive substitute Ben Pratt was met by Darren Watts to leave the keeper with no chance. From this position Nailsea could see the game out, and on came Pitt & Peacock to inject some pace up front.

Management duo Kavanagh and Walker will hope the side can carry this form forwards to some important league games in February, but first up is a cup tie at Burnham.