PHIL Simkin was a relieved man yesterday after seeing his Dorchester Town side finally get their season up and running with a hard-fought draw away to Gosport Borough.

Dan Wooden gave the hosts the lead midway through the first-half but Steve Walker earned the Magpies a deserved share of the spoils with 15 minutes left.

The point was the Magpies’ first of the new Skrill South campaign following three defeats on the spin.

And it was a markedly improved performance from the visitors at Privett Park yesterday compared to the one they gave in Saturday’s capitulation at home to Whitehawk.

“It’s a big relief to get the first point on the board and I thought we played really well,” said Simkin.

“We deserved at least a point and I was disappointed not to win the game in the end. Overall, a draw was probably a fair result.

“We passed the ball really well, showed our fitness and scored a good goal.

“I’m very pleased for Steve Walker. He took some flak on Saturday and he came out and showed what a good defender he is.”

On lifting the squad after Satur-day’s thrashing, he added: “It wasn’t easy picking the lads up but we changed our shape and everybody did their jobs. I enforced it into them that they are good players and they proved Saturday was a one-off.

“They are a great bunch of lads and always give it their best shot.

“The game at Gosport will give us confidence and not just the draw, but the way we played. You won’t see many better performances away from home than that.”