HAMPTON & RICHMOND 2 Dorchester TOWN 2

DORCHESTER Town experienced every emotion in eight astonishing second-half minutes as they were denied a first victory of the season in Blue Square Bet South.

Having missed a host of chances, including two efforts that struck the woodwork, the Magpies were left cursing their luck when Dave Tarpey fired Hampton & Richmond into a 70th-minute lead.

However, Matt Groves equalised within two minutes of entering the fray – Dorchester’s first goal from open play this term – before Ryan Moss put them in front shortly after.

Smiles turned to frowns just 60 seconds later though, as Lawrence Yaku ensured a share of the spoils, leaving the county town side still searching for their maiden win and still occupying bottom spot.

Manager Ashley Vickers said: “People keep coming up to us saying we’re in a false position and again we dominated the game before going 1-0 down.

“But the boys showed a great deal of resilience to come back and lead 2-1. However, we conceded a sloppy goal and we need to tighten up on that sort of thing.

“It was another supreme effort from the lads though. They’ve given me everything in each game we’ve played, and, bar the 4-0 defeat to Eastleigh, their performances have been first class.

“The boys have been trying ever so hard to get their rewards and they almost got it today.

“It was a very topsy-turvy game, I would’ve taken a point beforehand and I will take a point now.

“I’d also like to thank our supporters, who were superb.”

On his side’s first goal from open play, Vickers added: “It’s a bit like buses in that two came along at once. It would’ve been nice for a third to come along but it wasn’t to be.”

Vickers made two changes from Saturday’s stalemate with Havant & Waterlooville. Stuart Douglas replaced Moss as the lone striker while Kevin Hill came in for the injured Kyle Critchell (hip).

Dorchester named only four substitutes as Jamie Gleeson embarked on a one-month ban, following a sending off in a five-a-side match.

The Magpies shaded a goalless first half with the best opportunity seeing Steve Devlin denied by the frame of the goal and Dave Allen also hitting a post from the rebound.

Keeper Simon Evans was forced into a decent stop while at the other end James Coutts and Douglas failed to register with close-range headers.

The second period saw plenty more action, sparked by the early introduction of Moss.

The visiting striker had an acrobatic effort hooked off the line before the Beavers broke immediately and grabbed the opening goal through Tarpey.

Groves was then introduced and Dorchester dropped their 4-5-1 approach in favour of 4-4-2.

And the move paid off as, within two minutes, Groves got on the end of a Ryan Hill cross to beat the home keeper at his near post.

The good fortune continued with Ryan Hill the provider once again and another of Vickers’ substitutes – Moss – converting with his head.

Having scored their second in the space of just three minutes, Dorchester then proceeded to concede a second Hampton goal almost straight from the restart.

Yaku caught the county town defence napping and restored parity with what proved to be the final goal of the game.

Magpies: Evans, R Hill, Martin, Jermyn, Walker, K Hill, Crittenden (Groves 72), Coutts, Douglas (Moss 53), Allen, Devlin. Subs not used: Frampton, Otobo.

Attendance: 485