Dorchester Town kept themselves ticking over with a 5-0 friendly win over Portland United.

Given the five-tier difference between the two sides, it was no surprise to see the Magpies prosper in a behind-closed-doors encounter at the Avenue Stadium.

But boss Alan Knight, who saw new signing Sam Malsom find the net, was pleased with the night’s work nonetheless.

He said: “We had a practice game, behind closed doors, and it was a good workout.

“It’s all about trying to keep things fresh. We weren’t concerned with the result, the most important thing was getting some minutes in and I was pleased with the work the boys put in.

“Neil Martin did pick up a bit of a knock on his ankle so we took him off as a precaution.”

The Magpies are without a competitive fixture this Saturday, meaning that by the time they host Havant & Waterlooville next weekend the county town outfit will have gone more than four weeks without action in Blue Square Bet South.

Despite their inactivity, Knight’s men remain seventh in the table and on course for their highest ever finish at this level.

The boss added: “By and large other results have gone reasonably well for us, touch wood, barring Sutton’s late win on Tuesday night, which puts them six points clear of us now.

“The four or five-game gap between us and the other teams is now down to one, two or three. So by the time we play Havant next week we will almost be on a par with everyone else.

“Everyone said we were in a false position but once we are on a par with everyone they won’t be able to keep chucking that at us, or undermine how well we have done.

“We are trying to get a practice game in for Saturday but it’s difficult.”

n Dorchester’s trip to Woking, which was postponed earlier this month, has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 13.