POOLE TOWN 0 DORCHESTER TOWN 0

RESOLUTE Dorchester Town ended a run of five straight league defeats as they earned a point on New Year’s Day at Poole Town.

A first half header from the returning Nathan Walker was as close as the Magpies came to toppling the Dolphins, but they did end the game with 10 men after Matt Oldring received his second booking for a foul late on.

The goalless draw between the sides also meant the Magpies ironically did the Terras a favour at the top of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division, after they could only muster a point against Truro City.

Avenue boss Graham Kemp made two alterations from the starting XI that fell to a 3-0 defeat to Weymouth on Boxing Day.

A big boost to his squad came with the return of winger Dan Smith, who had shaken off an illness to return to the county town line up. He replaced Nick Crittenden, who dropped to the bench.

Walker also reclaimed his place in the heart of the defence in place of Dan Woodward, but there was still no spot for goalkeeper Alan Walker-Harris, meaning Shane Murphy continued between the sticks.

Club captain Walker was however denied a battle against his older brother Michael, who was ruled out of the contest for the Dolphins through injury.

The Magpies held their own early on, but it was one of their former employees Steve Devlin that nearly drew first blood for title chasers.

After the ball was half-cleared, he hit a sweet volley which was well parried by Murphy, and the county town keeper was then off his line quickly to deny veteran marksman Richard Gillespie minutes later, as the hosts began to show their pedigree.

Gillespie then uncharacteristically hesitated on an opportunity when he was threaded through by midfielder Marvin Brooks, and Brooks himself then had the ball in the net moments later.

He put home a corner from Devlin, but was adjudged by referee Matt Eva to have handled the ball as it fell into the net.

The visitors then started to grasp a greater share of the possession around the half hour mark, but still failed to test Nick Hutchings in the Dolphins’ goal.

Walker then had the chance to make a huge impact on proceedings as the Magpies best opening came from a set-piece.

After Devlin had brought down Smith, a decision he was less than impressed with, Andy Robinson’s devilish free-kick was met with power by the experienced defender, who headed against the crossbar.

Gillespie then saw an effort scrambled away from point-blank range, and Smith hit a tame effort at Hutchings at the other end as the sides went in goalless at the break.

Oldring and Jamie Gleeson found themselves in the book for rash challenges before the hour mark, and the home crowd grew frustrated as their side failed to break the Dorchester rearguard.

Crittenden was then introduced in place of Jack Odam, with Smith moving into a central role, and in an uninspiring second period, the visitors started to impose themselves further.

After some neat work down the left hand side, the ball eventually fell to Walker inside the box with just over 10 minutes left, but he lacked composure as he blazed his effort high and wide of the home goal.

Oldring was then given his marching orders for a second booking by man in the middle Eva, but as the final whistle went, the Dorchester fans behind the goal voiced their delight in gathering an unexpected point.

Poole Town: Hutchings, Tallack, Martin, Jermyn, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge (Munday 86), Devlin, Gillespie (Emmerson 66), Brooks, Maloney Subs not used:Manley, Lindsay, Davis.

Magpies: Murphy, Oldring, Smeeton, Gleeson, Walker, Dillon, Robinson, Lanahan, Odam (Crittenden 66), Smith, Walsh (Hanger 90). Subs not used: Allen, Brookes, Godfrey.

Bookings: Poole – Brooks (deliberate handball, 15)

Magpies - Oldring (foul, 54, 90) Gleeson (foul, 59)

Sent off: Poole – None

Magpies – Oldring (two bookable offences)

Referee: Matt Eva (Farnham)

Attendance: 732