TOM Killick described as a “miraculous turnaround” Dorchester Town’s engrossing 4-4 draw at AFC Totton in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South.

The Magpies were written off at 3-0 down when Tony Lee, Luke Hallett and Scott Rendell goals put the Stags firmly in control.

However, a weak backpass from Hallett contributed to Olaf Koszela pulling a goal back, energising Dorchester with the first of four goals in 27 minutes for the Magpies.

Will Spetch’s header and Will Fletcher’s penalty made it 3-3 but Lee wrestled back the lead for his new club with a quality header from a deflected cross.

READ MORE: AFC Totton 4-4 Dorchester Town - report

Not to be beaten, Dorchester levelled again when Spetch nodded back across goal for Shaq Gwengwe to nudge home for 4-4.

And heavy Dorchester pressure during six tense add minutes nearly resulted in 5-4, skipper Jordan Ngalo’s low cross taking a wicked deflection into the grateful gloves of home keeper Tommy Reid.

The draw means Dorchester are four points above the drop zone in 17th,  extending to three games their unbeaten run.

Speaking to Echosport, Killick felt a stupendous second half was at odds with an inadequate first period.

He said: “We have to look at the other side, how bad we were to get ourselves involved in the position we got ourselves in.

“So, it’s always going to be mixed. Yes, you finish the game on a high. We looked dead and buried for all intents and purposes, so unbelievable spirit.

“The pleasing thing at the end, it was us that was really pushing for a winner. They were looking to pass backwards and settle for a point.

“For an away side that’s been 3-0 down, it’s a fairly miraculous turnaround.

“As pleased as I’ve got to be about that, we’re all disappointed with the first half. I feel as a management team we were probably just a bit wishy-washy in terms of setting us up.

“We didn’t achieve what we set out to achieve in terms of how we set the team up. We’ve got to take some responsibility for that. Players were also lacking in terms of what we were trying to get them to execute.

“It was just global responsibility, management and players. But, the spirit we had as a group was there for all to see.

“We have to look at it as a point gained, bearing in mind the score at half-time. We have to now channel everything into Saturday.”

Picking up on an invigorating second half in which Dorchester threatened to take all three points, Killick said: “There’s a real unity.

“What they were putting into the game in the second half and the way they came together, we’re starting to get a bit of a bond and an understanding.

“It’s still very early stages. We’re still in a dire position. There’s so much more to do. We’ve got to feel there’s green shoots.”

Dorchester visit Sholing on Saturday (3pm).