STEVE Thompson was disappointed with the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat at home to Hereford on Saturday which saw Dorchester’s four-match winning streak at the Avenue Stadium come to an end in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

A goal from Lance Smith in the 61st minute handed the Magpies their first home defeat since the 4-1 defeat against Hitchin Town on December 8 after a run of form that saw them take four wins at home by a 14-0 aggregate score.

Thompson said: “I am obviously disappointed but I am pleased with the players’ performance.

“It was hard going in the first half, Hereford looked the more dangerous team by far.”

Thompson was pleased with the improvement from his side in the second half however.

Thompson said: “We failed to create any chances in the first half and the second half it was different we did create a couple and we looked far more on the front foot in the second half which was pleasing.

“The second half we took the initiative, we created two very good chances and I felt we deserved something from the game.”

A double substitution after half-time saw Cameron Ebbutt and Ed Bastick come on in place of Tom Blair and David Jerrard which improved the attacking threat from Dorchester.

Thompson said: “I just felt we needed some fresh legs and fresh ideas in those positions and to be fair Dave Jerrard and Tom Blair did fine but they are learning the game still.

“They are young players and there was a little bit more experience with Ed. Cameron is obviously a young player as well.

“They are all learning a lot and they have learned a lot in this game as well because it was really tough going out on a very heavy pitch.”

“I did feel like it gave us more of an attacking impetus but obviously there is always a threat of conceding there was in the first half and there was in the second because Hereford are a good team.”

“If one of ours had gone in I do not think they would have been too disappointed coming away 1-1, it is not like they created loads of chances.”

Thompson said he feels like a draw would have been a fair result for his side, who as a result of the defeat stay 19th in the table, while their opponents stay third in the table.

Sam Lanahan had to come off after a head injury and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

After the match when asked about it Thompson said: “It is a little bit worrying obviously, he has got a head injury so that is always worrying.”

The match could represent Callum Rose’s second last game for the club as his loan from Plymouth Argyle expires after next week’s trip to Gosport Borough butt Thompson confirmed that they will look to extend his deal.

Looking forward after the match Thompson said: “It doesn’t affect my thinking at all really. I am far more pleased today than I was after Tuesday’s game at Slough where I did not think we performed.

“I feel that we have performed and matched Hereford and given them a very difficult game today.

“I am disappointed in the result but not in the performance and the attitude of the players and at the end of the day the performance and attitude is vital and results generally come with that.”

Archie Collins was named man of the match for Dorchester two days after he extended his loan deal from Bristol Rovers.

Thompson said: “I think Archie is having an increasing impact in his loan. It was hard at first because he came in and we had won two games six and four nil against two teams and he had to wait his chance but he has taken his chance and he has performed pretty well in the last three games.”