DORCHESTER Town chief Phil Simkin admitted his side were fortunate to come away with a point from Saturday’s clash against Staines.

The performance may not have been on a par with those of recent weeks, but Simkin was pleased to see the Magpies get something out of a game when they weren’t at their best.

Louie Theophanous put Staines ahead late in the first half before the hosts equalised in the 78th minute courtesy of a Nick Crittenden penalty – the midfielder’s second goal in as many matches.

“I thought we were lucky to get a point, but I’m glad we did,” said a relieved Simkin after the final whistle at the Avenue.

“We haven’t played well but we’ve come out of it with a point, whereas before we would have lost.

“It’s another point on a day when we could well have got nothing, and again Critts has pulled it out of the bag.

“We had too many off their game, but, allowing for that, we dug in, took a gamble with three at the back and it paid off.

“I wasn’t prepared to go with three at the back any longer once we’d scored because we were so open to players who could pick the ball up and run at us.

“We were glad to hear the final whistle because we weren’t playing well.

“They dealt with the pitch better than we did and we had too many not on their game.”

Defender Jake McCarthy (pictured) finally made his Dorchester debut on Saturday following a frustrating couple of months on the sidelines.

Having joined on loan from Bournemouth in January, McCarthy injured an ankle in training without kicking a ball for the Magpies.

Simkin praised the way he fitted into the side and highlighted the performance of goalkeeper Alan Walker-Harris.

“For his first game, I thought Jake McCarthy did very well,” he added. “I thought Alan Walker-Harris was excellent, and has been excellent in the last few weeks.

“He took some great crosses and his handling was good, a bit like he was before his bad injury.

“He’s getting back to that and he’s very fit and lean, and he’s doing ever so well for us.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Gleeson will see a chiropractor this week after sitting out the game due to a pelvic problem picked up in training last Thursday.

Dorchester can make it four Skrill South games unbeaten when they host Boreham Wood on Saturday (3pm).