DORCHESTER Sports toppled Blandford United 1-0 at a hostile Park Road to leapfrog the Royals in the Jewson Dorset Premier League table.

Sports battled away in front of a vociferous 160-strong home faithful to claim victory just three days after losing on penalties to Sherborne Reserves following an arduous 120 minutes.

Ashley James’ men are now poised in third, two points behind leaders Hamworthy United Reserves with two games in hand.

However, the top six is covered by just three points and unbeaten Westland have three matches up their sleeve over the Hammers.

READ MORE: Sherborne Town Reserves 1-1 Dorchester Sports (Sherborne win 5-4 on pens) - match report

Given their taxing cup exploits on Wednesday, Sports were by no means at their best but did carve out chances in the first half.

Former Weymouth striker-turned-goalkeeper Mark Ford saved well from Sports’ Jack Will in the sixth minute following Darren Watts’ clever pass.

Sports had a goal contentiously ruled out for offside when Ford spilled a Watts free-kick, allowing Shaun Bessant to sweep home 20 minutes in.

Blandford somehow avoided going 1-0 up when Nick Hutchings pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a flick on, Steve Smith then punting the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.

Sports finally took the lead with a fine volleyed goal by Alex Godfrey 58 minutes in, the striker punishing Blandford for a tame headed clearance.

With Sports’ energy-levels sapped, they fended off massive pressure from Blandford in the closing 20 minutes.

Sam Watson put a free header wide, before looping a second header over as the Royals pushed.

Sports were now hanging on and Blandford had one final chance, smashed into the side-netting, before the visitors closed out a gutsy victory.

Speaking to Echosport, a delighted James said: “A massive win. The lads should be really pleased with that one.

“It was a massive effort from everyone, getting over the line. They’re a very good side.

“There were 160 people there, what a brilliant attendance to have at a DPL game, but it was pretty hostile.

“People were close, the fans make it hard for you and the players. To come away from there with a 1-0 win is massive character from the lads, especially after 120 minutes on Wednesday and penalty heartache.”

Sports are next scheduled to play on Wednesday week at home to Bournemouth Sports, although there could be a postponement to accommodate Dorchester Town Under-23s’ fixture with Christchurch.

If that transpires, Sports will host Shaftesbury Reserves in the Dorset Senior Trophy on Saturday, October 22 (2.30pm).

Sports: Hutchings, Heal, Bessant, J Steele, O’Shaughnessy, Watts, Delves, J Will (Browne 70), Voss (McNamara 61), Smith (Sheehy 70), Godfrey.