Magpies are sunk after Bowles is sent off

Dorchester TOWN 0

TEN-MAN Dorchester Town fell to a third consecutive 1-0 defeat at the hands of Basingstoke.

The Magpies, who lost both of last season’s encounters by the same scoreline, were a man short for an hour of Saturday’s Blue Square Bet South clash.

Gary Bowles was the offender in question as he saw red – for the fourth time in less than a year – in the first half following an off-the-ball incident with David Pratt.

Tim Sills then put the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time, scoring what proved to be the winning goal.

Weymouth goalkeeper Nick Jordan made his county town debut and would have grabbed a bizarre equaliser had it not been for the woodwork.

As it was, the defeat ended the Magpies’ run of two straight wins, but manager Ashley Vickers remained upbeat in his post-match analysis.

He said: “The guys were great after we went down to 10 and we did create chances in the second half, including Nick hitting a post believe it or not.

“He almost scored the most fortuitous debut goal ever.

“He did make a couple of good saves for us though and their keeper did likewise for them.

“We threw the kitchen sink at them but it wasn’t to be. No one feels downhearted, we just can’t wait for Tuesday’s game with Weston.”

Although he had no arguments with Bowles’ dismissal, Vickers bemoaned the inconsistency of the match officials.

He added: “I don’t want to lambaste the officials but when the linesman can see an incident (Bowles’ red card) 40 metres away but not spot Ryan Dovell being blocked off just 10 metres away in the build-up to their goal it beggars belief.”

Explaining the decision to drop Alan Walker-Harris in favour of new loan signing Jordan, the county town chief said: “Alan has been great for us but when you sign a keeper of Nick’s calibre you play him.

“Alan is still carrying an Achilles injury and although it was a difficult decision to make, it was the most logical one in the circumstances.”

Steve Devlin and Ben Dickenson were back from suspension and holiday respectively, and they took a spot on the bench. But there was no place in the squad for Portsmouth loanee Lewis Tallack.

Despite entering the clash in high spirits, on the back of successive victories, the Magpies made a slow start at Camrose.

And after minimal action in the opening quarter, besides an injury to Basingstoke skipper Ross Adams, the complexion of the game changed dramatically just before the half-hour – but to the detriment of the visiting team’s cause.

Defender Bowles was adjudged to have lashed out at Pratt and the county town outfit were down to 10.

Ryan Dovell was forced to partner Nathan Walker at the back and although Basingstoke breached the new-look defence within minutes, Sills’ effort was ruled out by referee Ryan Atkin for offside.

The hosts’ summer signing from Aldershot was not to be denied and he eventually drew first blood shortly before the break after converting Pratt’s cut-back.

Dorchester had failed to muster a single attempt at goal in the first half and they continued to struggle early in the second, thus introducing the returning Devlin and Dickenson in a double change.

With the outfield players failing to trouble home keeper Ashley Bayes, it was opposite number Jordan who inadvertently went closest to scoring.

The loan signing’s huge punt completely deceived Bayes but, unfortunately for the travelling contingent, came back off a post.

Ryan Moss then spurned a great opportunity soon after, before cries for a last-gasp penalty, after Dickenson was brought down, were waved away by the officials.

And despite an improved show in the second period, the 10-man Magpies were unable to salvage a point.

Basingstoke: Bayes, Smart, Little, Adams (Rice 14), Gasson, Lake, Daly, McAuley, Sills (Gradwell 78), Sam-Yorke (Warner 79), Pratt. Subs not used: Dunn, Ogunbote.

Magpies: Jordan, Critchell, Martin, Dovell, N Walker, Bowles, Crittenden (Devlin 61), Gleeson, Wilson (Dickenson 61), Flood, Moss. Subs not used: Nicholls, Bell, Walker-Harris.

Sent off: Magpies – Bowles.

Booked: Basingstoke – Sam-Yorke.

Magpies – Crittenden, Martin, Devlin.

Attendance: 336

* Dorchester Town Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup tie with Salisbury City has been moved to Thursday night and will be played at the Avenue Stadium (7.45pm).