DORCHESTER Town assistant-manager Trevor Senior felt the Magpies were “geared-up” for their 3-0 Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division win over Tiverton Town at the Avenue Stadium.

A first-half header from Sam Lanahan, plus two Tom Blair goals, handed the Magpies all three points against a disappointing Tivvy side that began the day in fifth place.

Senior told Echosport his players were motivated to compete against a physically imposing Yellows outfit.

He said: “The pleasing thing was we were up for it and the last three games at home we’ve got three clean sheets and 13 goals.

“We knew they were going to be quite direct, Steve (Thompson, manager) had watched them a couple of times and we worked on it in training on Thursday evening to combat how they play.

“The lads were geared-up for it and I thought we moved the ball quickly. It was heavy going, we tried to move the ball on the ground. We weren’t at our best but it’s pleasing to get the three nil.

“I think they only had one or two efforts at goal and I thought we defended well and looked bright on the break.”

Senior was also satisfied with the Magpies’ diligence in keeping their third clean sheet in five league games.

He said: “The pleasing thing is we’ve worked hard to keep the clean sheet. We limited them to a few chances really.

“Luke Winsper’s come back in and made a difference, him and Billy (Lowes) have done well in that central area.

“We had people playing in central positions and obviously Phil’s come off at half-time but Tom’s put himself in the shop window in front of the gaffer. That’s what we need, a bit of

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competition.”

On Blair’s display, Senior believed the winger, who replaced the injured Phil Ormrod at half-time, had shown “a lot of character” in scoring twice, with his first-team chances limited of late.

“Tom’s been very patient, he’s kept his head. Things haven’t really gone for him this year and I thought he showed a lot of character.

“I said to him at half-time, because he’d be playing up front instead of Phil, ‘make sure you stay onside and your pace will get you in’ because I felt we could get him in behind them.

“He challenged well in the air and he scored two good goals with two good finishes, that’s all you can ask for, so that was pleasing,” he said.

Senior later added that the Dorchester management team had targeted more points against top-half opposition in the second part of the season, and were delighted by beating high-flying Tivvy at the first time of asking.

He said: “I said to Steve before the game that we’re on 27 points and we’ve only taken four points from the top 12 teams, that’s something that would be good to work on and try and improve on in the new year.

“Obviously that’s a great start, three points from a top five side. We enjoyed that and we move on to Saturday now against King’s Lynn.”