MARK Morris leads Dorchester back into the Dr Martens Premier Division tomorrow dying to prove he can manage successfully in the divison from which they were relegated two seasons ago.

The Magpies kick-off full of optimism when the new campaign begins with the first-ever visit of Hinckley United to the Avenue Stadium. But Morris knows he and his men can expect a much rougher ride than they have experienced in the last two seasons in the Eastern Division.

"A couple of years ago when we were last in the Premier Division I often felt it wasn't a level playing field because I had to put out sides who just weren't up to that standard," he said.

"We had to play out of our skins to get anything at all out of a game. But now there's no doubt we are much better equipped all round to meet the challenge.

"We are not foolish enough to think we will get 94 points like we did last season, but there's no reason why we can't compete every week and if we don't make too many silly mistakes we should finish high enough to qualify for the new Conference set-up."

Central defender Alex Browne and nippy striker Matt Tubbs may be the only summer additions on

view tomorrow, but there is no shortage of competition for places as some of Dorchester's regulars

from last season are about to find out.

For starters the arrival of Browne has put the pressure on last season's established central defensive pairing of Andy Harris and Mike White, with the latter likely to start tomorrow on the bench.

Michael Walker and Simon Radcliffe resume their tussle for the left back role with Walker likely to start in pole position while in attack Morris has a two-from-three choice involving Tubbs, Matt Groves and Martin Shepherd.

"That's going to be a particularly difficult decision," said Morris. "But competition is what I wanted and that's what we've got all over the field."

Morris will renew acquaintances tomorrow with one of his old Wimbledon FC team-mates, Dean Thomas. He manages a Hinckley United side who were promoted from the Western Division to replace Dorchester when they were relegated.

"Dean was a left back at Wimbledon when I was there and we met up again at the league dinner in the summer," said Morris. "Last season they finished in 13th place and just like us they will want to get off to a good start.

"From all accounts Dean has put together a big, strong side so we can expect a very competitive start. But I know after a long pre-season all my players are just wanting to get stuck into the job of getting some league points."

Dorchester: Ormerod, Jermyn, Browne, Harrism Walker, Holmes, Rawlinson, Tubbs, Keeler, Hann, Groves, Shepherd, Cooper, Brown, White, Radcliffe