PORT ADELAIDE has broken its three-game losing streak with a stunning come-from-behind nine-point win over Central District.

The Bulldogs controlled the opening portion of the game but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard, registering three straight behinds.

The Magpies earned their breakthrough 15 minutes into the first term, as Boyd Woodcock spotted Miller Carter on his own who marked and converted.

Dylan Williams kicked their second just moments later after receiving a free kick 10 metres out on an angle, and converted the snap.

The Port defence was finally breached, with Aiden Grace intercepting a kick and goaling, before he slotted his second just moments later to give the Bulldogs the lead at quarter-time.

In a real war of attrition, both sides struggled in front of goal in the second quarter.

The Magpies were strong down back, with the returning Tom Clurey, Hamish Hartlett, Joel Garner and Jake Pasini performing admirably.

However, errors entering the forward 50 littered Port’s game, as the Dogs managed to continue rebounding.

The Dogs would be the only side to find the big sticks in the second term with Chris Olsson the sole goal-kicker.

Port needed a boost in the second half, and it took until the 13-minute mark of the third term, but it found it.

Joel Garner roosted a massive kick from 50 metres out to drag the Magpies back into the contest.

The Dogs would continue to be stubborn and Nick Gillard manage to outmuscle his opponents and mark and convert to extend their lead.

Yet Port continued to prove it is still within the contest.

The returning Zak Butters found Jackson Mead, who also returned after a significant injury lay-off, who made no mistake with his set shot to make it eight points at the final change.

The Magpies showed they had a point to prove to start the last, as they burst out of the midfield with Boyd Woodcock kicking the first of the term within 19 seconds.

As they were challenged again, the Bulldogs responded immediately through Fraser Fort to again make it eight points.

In a start to a quarter which was uncharacteristic for the match, Port made it two goals in the opening five minutes as Ollie Lord marked and converted to cut it to two.

It was then cometh the moment, cometh the man as Zak Butters marked and goaled to put the Magpies in front.

Jake Weidemann then gave Port a cushion as he crumbed and snapped on his opposite foot to make the margin 10 points.

Nerves then escalated as the Dogs found a way back into the contest through Grace, before Butters sealed the job.

Boyd Woodcock won a holding the ball free kick on the 50 before having his kick smothered, which was then crumbed and snapped home by the returning Butters for his second.

The Magpies then weathered the storm with Joel Garner holding the ball in his hands for a final shot at goal, which fell short.

The win leaves Port Adelaide sixth on the ladder tied on points with fifth placed North Adelaide.

SCOREBOARD

Port Adelaide               2.1       2.3       4.3       9.3       (57)

Central District             2.4       3.7       4.11     6.12     (48)

Goals: Butters 2, Carter, Garner, Lord, Mead, Weidemann, Williams, Woodcock.

Best: Hartlett, Butters, Woodcock, Garner, Hayes, McEntee.