CHESHAM UNITED 3 DORCHESTER TOWN 2

TWO goals from makeshift centre-forward Nathan Walker were not enough to prevent The Magpies slipping to their 10th away defeat of the season as they went down to Chesham United at the Meadow.

The result leaves Graham Kemp’s men languishing in the bottom three, two points clear of bottom club Burnham.

Dorchester’s plans to welcome back former striker Ben Watson were put on hold after the regis-tration formalities were not completed in time while a back injury ruled out Nick Crittenden from the starting line-up.

Matt Oldring replaced Walker in defence, new signing Lewis Morgan made his second Dorchester debut in midfield, and Alan Walker-Harris emerged from the dressing room wearing an outfield substitute shirt, although he remained on the bench all afternoon.

The Generals came close to opening the scoring after three minutes when the lively Mark Bell raced on to a long clearance from keeper Shane Gore, but was denied by the outstretched foot of Dorchester gloveman Shane Murphy.

But the reshuffled Magpies shook their hosts by taking the lead two minutes later when Chris Dillon’s long throw caused mayhem in the hosts’ six-yard box, where Sam Lana-han was able to stab the ball back to Walker to drive past Gore.

In an end-to-end first half, another through ball aimed at Bell was cut out by Murphy who raced to the edge of his area to avert the danger.

The Magpies’ stopper then scooped up a near-post strike from Dave Pearce and a 40-yard free-kick from Bell.

At the other end, Dan Smith tested Gore while Jake Smeeton failed to get power behind his shot when well placed.

Chesham then equalised in the 23rd minute when Oakley Hanger conceded a free-kick, which was again delivered by Bell and met by Pearce, who headed in unmarked at the far post.

Shortly after, Murphy cut out a long-range effort from Luke Allen while Gore saved a low shot from Smith.

From a Jamie Gleeson lay-off, Jason Brookes had a 20-yard shot saved by Gore.

Play continued to swing from end to end and from Bell’s pass, Allen curled an attempt just over the crossbar for the home side.

There was an awkward moment for Murphy as a corner bounced in the six-yard box but the Magpies’ keeper was quickest to react to cut out the threat.

Murphy again denied Bell by tipping over a dipping shot while the resultant corner was bravely headed back to his keeper under pressure by Dillon from close range.

Walker went close to restoring Dorchester’s lead early in the second half but from Smith’s left wing centre, the Dorchester number nine fired wide of the far post.

Smith then did likewise after a surging crossfield run while Murphy won a one-on-one duel with Allen, as Chesham attacked up the slope after the break.

But on the hour, the Generals took the lead for the first time in the game when Ryan Blake raced through to strike from 18 yards after a through ball eluded the Magpies’ defence.

The county town side then fought back and came close to restoring parity when Dillon found Brookes, who centred for Walker, and his close range header was tipped over by Gore. Walker then sent two other efforts wide before Chesham struck again.

Blake showed great endeavour on the left side of the penalty area before finally passing across the face of goal for skipper Simon Thomas to tap home at the far post.

But Dorchester were not finish-ed and Walker reduced the deficit six minutes from time with a looping header from Lanahan’s right-wing cross.

There was more drama two minutes from time when Chesh-am’s Nick Beasant was sent off for kicking the ball away having earlier been booked.

But despite their reduced numbers, the home side held on to claim all three points although a long-range shot from Morgan required a save from Gore in stoppage time.

Chesham: Gore, Smith, Little, Fenton, Beasant, Allen, Towner, Bell (Wood 76), Blake, Thomas, Pearce (Brown 89). Subs not used: Westlake, Reece, Melford-Rowe.

Magpies: Murphy, Hanger, Smeeton, Gleeson, Oldring, Dillon, Morgan, Lanahan, Walker, Brookes (Godfrey 72), Smith. Subs not used: Crittenden, Walker-Harris, Brown, Parrett.

Bookings: Chesham – Beasant (foul, 51, kicking ball away 88) Allen (foul, 78)

Magpies - Hanger (foul, 68)

Sent off: Chesham – Beasant (two bookable offences, 88)

Referee: S Pawley

Attendance: 301