Dorchester TOWN RES 0 HOLT UNITED 1 FORMER Salisbury midfielder Kevin Blackham grabbed the crucial goal - but it was goalkeeper Derek Chambers who deserved most of the credit for taking Holt to the top of the Dorset Premier League at the Avenue Stadium last night.

He frequently pulled his side out of trouble with a string of superb saves to leave the Magpies wondering just how they failed to turn 80 per cent possession into goals.

And when he was beaten by Steve Legg's inch-perfect second half lob, defender Ian Edwards covered behind him to head out from under the bar.

But the gloss was taken off Holt's win by a serious injury to midfielder Scott Bradford. The former Dorchester man was taken to hospital with a broken leg after being tackled by Mark Jermyn in the 21st minute.

First team squad man Stuart Cooper was the man to suffer most at the capable hands of Chambers. He produced five stinging shots that Holt's stopper either parried and smothered at the second attempt or pushed behind for corners.

Legg was almost as dangerous breaking from midfield. He saw Chambers make the save of the match when he powered goalwards from 20 yards in a one-way second half, but he should have done better when he clipped the ball against the keeper's legs from point blank range in the 83rd minute.

Holt only looked dangerous from free-kicks and corners when defender Lee Bradford loped up from the back to cause problems for a Magpies defence which had Michael Walker in a central role.

The ex-Terra's presence in their area in the 23rd minute led to the goal that ended the Magpies unbeaten record. His far post run went unchecked as Simon Cooke's free-kick floated across the area and Dorchester's marking was non-existent as Blackham stole to tap his header past Les Elsworth.

"We played ever so well against one of the most experienced sides in the league, but for the second home game in a row we have come up against a keeper in unbelieveable form," said Magpies manager Phil Simkin.

Dorchester Res: Elsworth, Brannigan, S Langrish, Walker, Gilbert, Dovell, Legg, Critchell (Christopher 80mins), Cooper, Byerly, Jermyn

* Simkin is trying to sign Dorchester United striker Martin Hillier after putting in a seven-day notice of approach.

* Former Magpie Matt Tubbs scored on his debut for Salisbury in their 5-1 victory away to Fleet in the Dr Martens Eastern Division last night.