BOSS Mark Jermyn hailed the quality of the Magpies’ winning goal against St Neots Town on Saturday and insisted “we are stepping in the right direction”.

Dorchester battled to a 1-0 victory on a tricky home surface at the Avenue, with Bradley Tarbuck making an instant impact on his return to the starting XI just past the hour mark.

The county town playmaker, who returned to action following a serious knee injury for the final 20 minutes against Kettering Town last Tuesday, marked his first start back by capping off a slick move involving Liam Sayers and Ben Watson to fire home the winner.

Speaking about Tarbuck, Jermyn told Echosport: “It was good to have him back on the pitch, if I’m honest.

“He is one of our best players and he is certainly a talented player.

“Our goal, on a pitch like ours, was very well worked. If you watched it on TV you would say it was a great goal.”

He added: “It was important after Tuesday night to get back to winning ways and that’s what we did.

“I think Frankie Clarke had another impressive game. In the first half he was the standout player on the pitch. He has done very well for us. Luke Holmes, out of position, did very well too.

“In the second half we were more dominant and I don’t think they (St Neots) really caused us too many troubles defensively.

“I still feel that even when we win, lose, or draw, the players are getting better. They are getting more experience, more exposure to the league and next season I think we will be even more competitive.

“We are stepping in the right direction at the moment.”

Jermyn also gave an update on Oakley Hanger, who was forced off through injury.

He said: “Unfortunately he has rolled his ankle so we will get him assessed on Tuesday and take it from there.

“We are down to the bare bones which is a little frustrating so we are going to see if we can get some players in now.”