SHAUN Hearn believes the Magpies’ recent FA Cup exploits have ushered in a new era of unity at the club.

The Dorchester Town chairman, inset, was still in shock when he spoke to Echosport yesterday as the county town outfit continues to come to terms with last Sunday’s televised win against Plymouth Argyle – a result that has seen them reach the second round for the first time in 31 years.

“It was quite emotional really and even now it still hasn’t sunk in,” said Hearn. “It was just such a fantastic occasion and personally for me it was really overwhelming.

“Everyone was just so happy and the text messages and emails we have received since have just been unbelievable.

"So many people worked their socks off to make that game happen, from the safety action group to the police and all the volunteers, and I am just delighted for every single one of them.

"What a result and what an evening - it is easily the best performance I have ever seen from a Dorchester side."

Not only has this season's cup run already added in the region of six figures to the Magpies' coffers but according to Hearn it has also helped bring the club closer together.

He added: "More often than not running a football club can be a bit of a thankless task.

"There is quite a bit that goes into it and if I had known then what I know now I wouldn't have taken the club on without a doubt.

"However, days like last Sunday make it all worthwhile and long may it continue.

"It really has brought everyone much closer together from the committees of the trust and the youth to the supporters club.

"Things have not always gone smoothly on that front and I think what this cup run has done has given us all a great opportunity to work together to take the club forward.

"We have proved over the last two weeks just what can be achieved.

"The amount of people that got involved in putting on last Sunday's game was fantastic and the success of the whole evening was a great to the entire club."

Going to comment on the increase in revenue, Hearn said: "Quite a lot of money has been brought in but having said that there have been times when things have been very difficult as well.

"It is important we do not forget that and still live within our means.

"We have got to be realistic. These types of games and cup runs do not come along often and it is important we do not get carried away.

"We have got some fantastic kids coming through and if we can invest anywhere it will be in the academy and the youth.

"The sooner we can also get a function room built that will bring in a steady stream of revenue to help the club move forward the better."

A crowd of 3,196 was in attendance at the Avenue for the clash with the Pilgrims and Hearn is hopeful that some of them will return in the future on a more regular basis.

He went on to say: "The atmosphere our fans created that night was just unbelievable.

"I have always thought that Dorchester should be getting crowds of 700-800 on a regular basis but with so much football on television now and other things going on that has never materialised.

"At the end of the day we are in the entertainment business and I would like to think the club entertained last Sunday.

"Hopefully more will come along to our next few home games but who knows?

"If we could add another 100 then that would be brilliant."