LOSING BATTLE: Jones Awuah

DORCHESTER surrendered their Blue Square South status but not without a fight away to new champions Lewes.

A late second goal kicked off the title celebrations at the Dripping Pan but also masked a spirited display by the Magpies.

Although the hosts had a bit more possession, not to mention a bit more class on the ball, Shaun Brooks' side had a number of decent chances.

There were two key moments with the game goal-less which could have led to a different outcome.

The first came ten minutes before the interval when Lewes defender Ian Simpemba appeared to pull back Jones Awuah after the striker got behind him but referee Warren Atkin did not spot the offence and Awuah's stumbling shot failed to trouble Michael Jordan.

Had the official viewed the incident differently the Lewes' centre back would almost certainly have been sent off.

The second key moment came four minutes after the restart when Jamie Cumming's cross from the right cleared every defender and fell at the feet of fellow full-back Jake Smeaton, who did not appreciate the time he had and fluffed a golden chance from six yards.

The incidents highlighted the fine line between success and failure although, with St Albans winning at home to Eastleigh, Dorchester's result became academic in the grand scheme of things.

RENEWED ACQUAINTANCE: Mark Jermyn, right, and former Magpie Matt Groves

A crowd of 1,665 packed into the Dripping Pan expecting to witness a championship party but they had to wait 67 minutes for a goal and 89 until the champagne corks could be unleashed.

The first half was a tense affair with so much at stake for both sides and chances were at a premium.

There was a scare for the Magpies on 16 minutes when goalkeeper Francisco Ramos flapped when trying to deal with a misplaced header from team-mate Alex Browne but no Lewes attacker was able to take advantage.

Soon after home top scorer Paul Booth fired a free-kick from a central position just outside the penalty area over the bar but neither keeper was seriously tested during the opening 45 minutes.

After Smeaton spurned his chance early in the second half Lewes responded with Jamie Cade firing over when well-placed and then former Magpies' favourite Matt Groves just failed to get on the end of a teasing free-kick from Andy Drury.

But it was certainly not one-way traffic and Mark Jermyn had a shot well-held by Jordan before the deadlock was broken on 67 minutes after substitute Anthony Barness delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left for top scorer Booth to head home.

Still, the result was not a foregone conclusion as Gary Bowles planted an unchallenged header wide two minutes later, then Docker was off-target from a good position and the same player curled a free-kick just past the upright as home nerves frayed.

Those nerves were settled a minute from time, though, when Booth flicked on a Drury corner and substitute Jean-Michel Sigere fired home.

To their credit, the Magpies still did not give up and substitute Ivan Forbes had two chances in stoppage time to grab a consolation.

8:44am Monday 21st April 2008

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