DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson is looking to maintain the “winning habit” when his side takes on Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy second qualifying round at the Avenue Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

After defeating Basingstoke Town 2-1 in the first qualifying round, Thompson’s men then beat Biggleswade Town 2-1 in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division a week later.

As a result, the Magpies are looking for their third straight win – a run Thompson is keen to preserve.

He told Echosport: “It’s important to do well in the cup. It’s good for the club financially and there’s no fixture congestion.

“We were out of the FA Cup early and this is the one cup competition that we want to excel at. It’s just trying to keep the winning habit for league games or cup games.

“The only reason for not doing well is if you had a massive fixture congestion or you had important league games that you could end up relegated. It’s just as important as any league game you play.”

With just two fit centre-backs, Thompson is waiting on the fitness of captain Gary Bowles, who has a knee problem.

He said: “We’ve been monitoring it this week. He had some treatment from Emma (Tonkin) the physio. We’re hoping that Gary will be fit.

Dorchester Reserves beat Alderholt 2-0 in the Dorset Senior Trophy second round thanks to an own goal and a Jamie Rawlings strike at the Avenue.