DESPITE winning just two of their last 10 league games and dropping into the relegation zone, Magpies’ manager Phil Simkin has insisted the Blue Square Bet South table means “absolutely nothing” right now.

Without a win in seven in all competitions, Dorchester Town face Bromley at the Avenue tonight (7.45pm) still smarting from Saturday’s collapse against Hayes & Yeading.

It was the second time in four days that the side had failed to hold on to a lead going into injury time but Simkin is adamant there will not be a repeat tonight.

“I don’t think for one minute that will happen again,” he declared.

If results go against them the Magpies could find themselves just one place off the foot of the table, however, three points might propel the club as far up as 10th, such is the state of the league this season.

Simkin will stick with the same squad that drew on Saturday although the fitness of centre-half Arran Pugh (groin) was being assessed last night.

That means Nick Crittenden and Lewis Morgan (both flu) remain on the sidelines while Jon Garcia, who made just a handful of appearances after signing in September, has moved back to Spain permanently.

Bromley, in 16th place and one point ahead of the Magpies, overcame Eastleigh 3-1 at the weekend but a third-round FA Trophy tie against Dartford on Saturday could play into Dorchester’s hands.

“They’ve got some experienced players and had a couple of good results but they’ve got an FA Trophy game coming up so could have one eye on that,” added Simkin.

“Hopefully we can play as well against Bromley as we did for most of Saturday’s game but whether the players can go again will depend on how they are physically.

“In an ideal situation you would rest people. If you overuse players it can lead to injuries.

“I’ve always got confidence in the lads. They are good players but when you’re playing a lot of games you can get tired, physically and mentally, and when you get like that you make mistakes.”

He went on: “The table means nothing at the moment, absolutely nothing. There’s not really too much to worry about.

“It’s not like we’re not taking anything out of these games, that’s the professional way to look at it.

“If we beat Bromley everything in the garden will be rosy, that’s how ridiculous things are.”

Magpies: (from) Matthews, Jermyn, Walker, Clough, Martin, Nicholls, Gleeson, Malsom, Watson, Logan, Colson, Thompson, Smeeton, Brooks, Way