Dorchester Town Reserves kept their Wyvern Challenge Shield hopes alive with a much-needed win at Ringwood.

Having narrowly lost to Wimborne in their opening Group A encounter, the county town side knew that a second defeat would result in elimination.

But three goals in the space of four first-half minutes effectively secured victory for the away side.

An own goal set the Magpies on their way before Alex Godfrey and Jamie Symes opened up an insurmountable lead.

Dorchester’s final group match sees them travel to Verwood on Wednesday night, where another win could see them progress to the knockout stages.

Boss Robbie Taylor said: “We perhaps went into the game expected to win after beating them in a friendly earlier this season but they had a few new players.

“Jamie Symes came back in for us but it was still a good opportunity for the younger lads to have a run-out and again they didn’t let themselves down.

“Calvin Brooks was probably the stand-out performer and Craig Michie did really well considering he has been out injured for a long time, but it was a good team performance and you could not fault any of the players.

“Each game that goes by you can see the mental attitude and self-belief improving. We keep saying they are all capable of playing, there’s no question about that, it’s about believing in each other.

“The only thing you could criticise was our finishing as although we scored three goals we created so many chances.

“However, we are enjoyable to watch at the moment and it’s pleasing to see the young ones playing so well.”

Magpies: Floyd, M Buckler (Tennant 46), A Symes, Michie (Goodland 60), S Walker, J Symes, Way, Brooks, Carlile, Godfrey (Turner 75), Twyford. Subs not used: S Buckler, R Taylor.