GUTTED Magpies skipper Alex Browne admitted it was hard to force a smile despite sweeping the board at the club's traditional end of season awards ceremony on Saturday.

Party-poopers Newport County put a huge dent in Dorchester's dreams of automatic qualification for Conf-erence football next season with an injury-time winner only minutes before the former Terras captain was given an armful of trophies by Magpies fans.

And he probably would have swopped all of them for a sixth successive win that would have rocketed his side six places up the congested Dr Martens Premier Division table and into a healthy tenth place.

"Obviously even if we had got a draw today it would have been wonderful for us because we really needed four points from our last two games and even then it would not have been certain," said Browne.

"To lose to a late goal like that was a real sickener but we have had our fair share of good fortune recently, especially last week when we did to Dover what Newport have done to us today so I suppose what goes around comes around.

"I don't think either side would have had any complaints about a draw today but for us it wasn't to be. Now we have to keep plugging away at Nuneaton next week to try and finish as high as we can so that we get a home tie if we end up in the play-offs.

"The belief is still there and there was nothing wrong with the effort today. Everyone worked their socks off, which was hard work in the hot conditions, and the boss was pleased with that."

Browne, voted Player of the Year by both fans and team-mates, On-Line Player of the Year and Dorset Echo Player of the Year, said he was pleased with the reception he had received from Dorchester fans in his first season at The Avenue Stadium.

"Coming from Weymouth and with the rivalry there is between the two clubs I

wasn't sure how they would take to me so obviously I am delighted to get their vote for Player of the Year which took me ten seasons to win at Weymouth.

"I owe a lot to the other young lads in the side who have all helped me out during the season and most of all I owe a lot to Mark Morris, Brian Benjafield (Morris's assistant) and Eddie Belt.

"They all helped me regain my passion for the game - which to be honest I had lost last season under Geoff Butler at Weymouth.

"Apart from not being quite as high in the league as we should be, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.

"My contract runs out at the end of the season - but the manager and chairman want me to stay next season and that is always nice.

"I see no reason why I shouldn't, but for now all I am concerned about is getting us into the Conference. Then I will be taking a holiday before making a definite decision."

Magpies player-coach Matty Holmes, who received the Player of the Year accolades last season, said he thought Browne was "a great choice".

"He thoroughly deserves it because he's had a terrific season," he added. "He's an excellent captain and a a fine leader and you can't speak any more highly of him than that. And on top of it all he's a lovely fellow with it."