DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson was delighted with the Magpies’ response to Chesham United’s opening goal in their 2-2 Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division draw at the Meadow.

Benji Crilley’s 40th-minute goal had put the Generals 1-0 up before debutant Ashley Pope and Sam Lanahan tipped the scoreline in the Magpies’ favour.

But a late Ravi Shamsi corner swung straight in three minutes after Lanahan’s strike before Dorchester’s Callum Rose saw red for a second bookable offence.

Speaking to Echosport after the game, Thompson praised a “good performance” from his side, whose away league record is now one win in 17 games.

He said: “We played very well in the second half. We scored two good goals but we had a few decisions go against us.

“We ended up having five players booked and one sent off, but the lads put in a good performance and played well.

“It’s more pleasing as Chesham were sixth in the table and we came up and did a good job, and maybe could have won the game if things didn’t go against us with refereeing decisions.

“We kept with it reasonably well and it’s a good point. It was one of our better performances and we hope we can build on it next Saturday.”

Asked what was most pleasing

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about the result, Thompson revealed it was his side’s reaction to going behind after having the better of play.

He said: “I think it was the way we responded. The first 35 minutes we were the better team but we went in 1-0 down. We made a couple of subtle changes and the boys took it on well and carried it off well.

“We just tweaked things and let Chesham come on to us a little more and pressed a little bit deeper.

“What that did was suck them out which left more space for us in behind. We totally deserved a point if not three.”

Thompson was also boosted by the manner of the Magpies’ display and feels an elusive away league win is close if his team can offer a repeat of the performance shown against Chesham.

He said: “The lads were disappointed at half-time because the only spell of pressure was the last five minutes. A few were starting to lose there heads so we had to calm it down.

“They were delighted that we scored a couple of goals and got a point. Results don’t always show performances, but I can’t argue too much.

“They had a few moments as well. I think if we produce another performance to that level we’ll have a good chance of getting a win up at Stratford (on Saturday).”

Thompson then praised Pope, who has signed from Bournemouth on a work experience loan.

“He worked very hard and to get a goal as well is great for him. He worked his socks off, played well and scored which is always important for strikers when they come in,” he said.