ASHLEY Vickers has warned Magpies’ fans not to expect overnight success at the Avenue Stadium.

The Dorchester Town boss was delighted with his side’s performance in last night’s 3-3 draw with Npower Championship outfit Crystal Palace but also described it as ‘just another small step’ on a long journey towards eventual success.

The Magpies led 2-0 and 3-2 in the encounter thanks to strikes from Stuart Douglas, Kevin Hill and Nathan Walker. But it was their shape, fitness levels and willingness to work that really stood out against a strong Palace side that included Argentine keeper Julian Speroni and ex-Newcastle United ace Darren Ambrose.

Vickers, whose side also put in a fabulous performance in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge, said: “Tonight was another really pleasing display. However, as I said to the boys afterwards, the key to success is being able to play like that every week not just against the likes of Dagenham and Crystal Palace. “There is a unique feel in the dressing room at the moment. Everyone is doing the right things and we are all pulling in the same direction but it is important not to get too carried away.

“Tonight was just another small step forward. You don’t achieve great things overnight and believe me the season ahead will not be easy.

“I am sure I will be having a lot of sleepless nights and there will be loads of ups and downs but as long as we all keep working hard then I am sure we will get our rewards.”

Douglas opened the scoring with a fine header on 13 minutes following a pinpoint cross from James Coutts, and Vickers is still hoping a deal will be done with the ex-Luton Town forward in the coming days.

He added: “Stuart is a very fair lad and he wants to sign for the club. I also want him to sign and now it is just down to agreeing the right terms.”

The Magpies’ second came from Hill before Ambrose pulled Palace back level with strikes either side of half-time with the first being a screamer from just outside the box.

The impressive Walker then regained Town’s lead by tucking home a cross from Mark Jermyn on 63 minutes before Wilfred Zaha restored parity six minutes later with a cool finish.

Patrick McCarthy headed against the underside of the bar in the closing stages for Palace but the Magpies deserved the draw and afterwards Vickers was full of admiration for every single one of his players.

He said: “We had a good shape about us, the back four were pretty solid and we pressed high up the pitch. Our energy levels also looked good and I thought there were a lot of good individual performances.

“Steve Devlin worked his socks off again and really set the tempo for us and I thought Nathan Walker and Kevin Hill were both excellent at the back along with Ryan Hill and Kyle Critchell.

“Regan Coward also looked solid in goal but to be honest all the lads performed well, including the substitutes, so overall it was a very positive night for us.”

Magpies: Coward, Walker (Frampton 72), K Hill, R Hill (Bowles 72), Critchell (Martin 60), Jermyn, Gleeson, Devlin (Smeeton 82), Coutts (Crittenden 75), Moss (Groves 60), Douglas (Allen 72). Sub not used: Hookway.

Crystal Palace: Speroni (Price 46), McCarthy, Barratt (Davis 46), Branco, N’Diaye (Holland 75), Danns, Ty (Djilali 80), Ambrose, Dorman (Jerry 68), Lee (Zaha 46), Andrew (Cadogan 68).