PHIL Simkin is looking forward to a well-earned break after helping guide the Magpies to their best points tally in seven seasons.

The final-day draw with 10-man Bromley saw Dorchester Town end the Blue Square Bet South campaign in 11th spot with 56 points to their name.

And while pleased with his players’ efforts at the weekend, the county town chief is already eyeing his summer holiday.

He told Echosport: “In a way I’m relieved the season has ended because I’m so tired. I don’t think I’ve needed a holiday as much as I do now.

“The lads will go away and rest their legs but not for long because they will soon be back on their feet getting ready for pre-season training.

“It’s been a strange season and so many things have happened, some good, some not so good.

“Obviously we would have liked to have finished with a win but in difficult conditions, against a decent side, we played well.

“I would like to think we finished on a high, even though we didn’t win the game, and I felt it was important we did. We made some good chances and Kyle Critchell did really well up front.

“Max Worsfold had his best game for us and so did Sam Malsom, so overall I was pleased with the result. But I was more pleased with the performance because it was cold, blustery and the pitch was bobbly, yet we still passed the ball around.

“Mark Jermyn and I have changed the culture of the club and whatever happens to me in the future, I just want to be remembered as someone who helped start this culture. Hopefully one day we will produce players of our own who play the right way.”

Sam Malsom equalised for the Magpies after an error from young keeper Dan Floyd gifted the opening goal.

Simkin added: “Dan held his hand up for the goal but he kept us in the game with a cracking save early on. He put himself on the line and you can’t ask any more than that.

“I’ve got a lot of time for him and while the goal he conceded was unfortunate, he didn’t let it rattle him. He kept going and he will have learned a lot over these last few games. If we can get him fitter he might well become an even better keeper.”