It was deja vu as the coastal side prevailed 4-2 to end the Mushies' involvement in the competition for the second year in-a-row.

Adam Watson and Chris Fenton found the back of the net for the home side, Fenton from the penalty spot late in the game to bring it back to the final two-goal margin.

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He had come on for Watson, who headed in a great cross from Joel Carter in the first half to make it 2-1. It was good reward for some good pressure as the Mushies fought their way back into the game after conceding a goal inside the first five minutes.

Mushies captain Lachlan Browne said it was a tough hit-out and was really happy with how they performed for their first game of the season.

He thought the intensity was great and the endeavour was there, and commended the spirit they showed after conceding that early goal.

"We didn't drop our heads. It would have easy to drop our heads in the 30 degrees and sunny day like today, going down 1-nil so early, but full credit to the guys they dug in and were still going to the very end," he said.

He rued a few missed chances, which "when you play good teams like Port" you "need to take if you're going to get anything out of the game".

Still there were a lot of positives to take away.

With six weeks now until season kick-off he said it was good to "get some game speed into the legs".

It was also a chance to see what their two new signings from Newcastle will bring and get some good minutes into a few of their younger players.

Jack Stanton came off the bench while Jem Barbara and Joel Carter both started.

Browne thought they were "fantastic".

"Probably the last 15 (minutes) of the first half and the first 15-20 of the second half I thought the young guys on the wing - JC (Carter), Jem (Barbara) really had them under the pump and were putting them under pressure and that's really promising to see," he said.

They are hoping to play a couple of trials between now and competition start. They have some in the pipeline but hadn't confirmed any dates as they weren't sure of further FFA Cup commitments.

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