Darts strike late to deny Magpies (From Dorset Echo)

Darts strike late to deny Magpies

8:45am Monday 19th December 2011 in Match Reports By Ky Capel

DARTFORD 1

Harris 90+1

Dorchester TOWN 1

Symes 71

A STOPPAGE-TIME strike from Danny Harris denied Dorchester Town an impressive win at promotion-chasing Dartford.

The home forward pounced in the dying moments of Saturday’s game after Jamie Symes had opened the scoring with his first goal for the county town club.

Despite the late disappointment, the Magpies have now gone nine Blue Square Bet South matches without defeat and stay seventh in the table.

Although sad to see his side miss out on victory, manager Alan Knight refused to be downhearted.

He said: “The dressing room was a bit low afterwards but I don’t want the lads to get down about it as we’re not far off being a top side.

“You have to put everything in perspective. People say we’re in a false position because of the amount of games we’ve played but the lads are going to top teams and the results they are gaining speak volumes.

“Symes’ goal was a bit special and with a bit more luck we would have scored a couple more. Andrew White hit the woodwork early on and their keeper also made a good save.

“The boys put in a great performance against one of the top three teams in the league.

“We shouldn’t fear anyone because if we show the same work ethic we have done then we are a match for anyone.”

New loan signing Andrew White came straight into the line-up for his Dorchester debut, with Rico Wilson dropping to the bench, while Symes took the place of the injured Jamie Gleeson (hamstring) in the only changes from Tuesday’s goalless draw at Bromley.

Reserve-team players Antony Carlile and Seb Broomfield, back from a loan spell at Weymouth, were named among the substitutes.

Keen to stretch their unbeaten league run, the Magpies made a positive start at Princes Park, refusing to let their lofty hosts settle on the ball.

And the early pressure almost paid off as White could have made a dream start to his three-month loan.

The Eastleigh striker lobbed Darts’ keeper Louis Wells but saw his effort come back off a post.

Nick Crittenden also went close to opening the scoring on two occasions as Dorchester maintained their early superiority.

The Magpies remained on top for the rest of the half and felt they should have been awarded a penalty shortly before the break when White was felled in the box.

The final action saw Symes play in the lively Ben Dickenson, who saw his shot tipped over by Wells.

The home side upped the ante in the second period and Elliot Bradbrook forced Alan Walker-Harris into serious action for the first time.

After soaking up the pressure, Dorchester went back on the offensive and saw Crittenden shoot wide before Steve Devlin hooked over at the back stick.

Knight’s men were eventually rewarded in the 71st minute as young Symes put them in front with a fine effort from 25 yards.

Eight minutes later, the county town side breathed a huge sigh of relief when an uncharacteristic mistake from Walker-Harris handed Dartford a golden opportunity to level proceedings.

Fortunately for him, the hosts were unable to capitalise.

As time ticked by it appeared the Magpies would gain successive wins in Kent following last season’s 4-0 triumph, but in injury-time the Darts salvaged a point.

Good work from Tony Garrod found Harris six yards out and he made no mistake to break county town hearts.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Critchell, Martin, Jermyn, Walker, Symes, Crittenden, Nicholls, White (Wilson 75), Dickenson, Devlin. Subs not used: Bell, Carlile, Broomfield, Jones.

Booked: Critchell

Attendance: 924