DORCHESTER Town manager Craig Laird is looking to “get the result the supporters deserve” when his side hosts arch-rivals Weymouth in their eagerly-anticipated derby showdown at the Avenue Stadium today (3pm).

The Magpies go into the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier clash with just three points to their name, while Weymouth have seven from four matches.

But despite Laird labelling the contest as “a big game” he feels the result is not the “be all and end all” of Dorchester’s season.

He told Echosport: “It’s a big game but it’s not the be all and end all of the season, it’s another three points. The season can’t rely on how we get on against Weymouth.

“We have to try and win for our own reasons and to get the result the supporters deserve. It’s important to the fans and it’s a big game for them.

“There’s added pressure, whether it’s home or away. It’s a derby and they’re great games to be involved in. They’re usually tense and dour affairs but I’m hoping we can get the win.”

Having lost their previous match 4-0 to Redditch United on Saturday, Laird insists that results and form prior to derby fixtures “go out of the window”.

He said: “Form and league position go out of the window for these matches. It’s really important and the players realise that they’ve got to up their game.

“We can’t just get up for two games a year. I don’t expect anything else than 100 per cent commitment. It’s great for the supporters with the bragging rights and it’s great for the players.

“One of us will be disappointed, unless it ends in a draw!”

And Laird, who in the Magpies’ last home game began with a defensively-minded gameplan, also promised to take the game to the Terras.

He said: “We have got to get our heads down and try and get a result.

“We’ll make it as tough as we can for Weymouth. We’ll have a good go at them and we’re not looking to defend too much.”

Dorchester have fitness doubts over several players ahead of the derby.

Tom Bearwish and Sam Lanahan were the latest to sustain problems in the defeat at Redditch, with Bearwish nursing a badly bruised ankle and Lanahan having picked up a thigh injury.

They join the likes of Billy Lowes, who missed Saturday’s match with an ankle knock inflicted against King’s Lynn, Ed Bastick and Phil Ormrod on the treatment table.

Elsewhere, Laird confirmed that Max Buckler has rejoined Portland United by “mutual consent” but will remain a dual-registered with the Magpies.

He said: “Max has decided that this level is not for him at the moment. I like him and I think he can play at this level if he gave it a bit more time.”