SHERBORNE 0 Dorchester TOWN RES 0 FOR the second season running Dorchester Reserves began their Dorset Premier League campaign with a stalemate at Sherborne.

But boss Phil Simkin reckoned it would have been a different story if last season's top scorer Aaron Turner had not pulled out through illness.

"We played ever so well until it came to putting the ball in the net and not having Aaron made a massive difference because I'm convinced there isn't a better striker in the league," said Simkin whose side even missed a late penalty.

Steve Legg was brought down inside the area in the 80th minute and although Simon Crichell struck his spot kick firmly to Wakely's right the home keeper pulled off a superb save.

Defender Steve Gilbert was pressed into service as a front runner and should have put his side in front when he headed over from six yards. Mika Dronyk also saw a header kicked off the line after it bounced down from the underside of the crossbar.

Magpies new gloveman Andy Graves capped a good debut with one tremendous diving save early on, but for the most part the visitors called the tune. "Our defence played so well they didn't leave him with a lot to do, but what he did was very tidy," said Simkin.

"Sherborne didn't drop many points at home last season when they finished one place below us and before the match I would have settled for a draw," he added. "But we should have been two or three up by half time so from that point of view it was disappointing."

Dorchester Res: Graves, Wilson, S Langrish, Poore, Lock, Dovell, Legg, Crichell, Gilbert, Dronyk (Vincent 60mins), G Langrish. Subs not used Edwards, Christopher.