DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson expects a “competitive game” against play-off chasing Royston Town when the Crows visit the Avenue Stadium in their Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division encounter tomorrow (3pm).

Thompson’s men suffered only their second home defeat of 2018 against Merthyr Town last time out, but will be looking to record their tenth home victory of the season against the Hertfordshire side.

He told Echosport: “I think Royston will feel they’ve got a realistic chance of making the play-offs, they’re certainly in contention. After the top five they’re certainly in with the best chance.

“They know they will have to be at their best to make them. It will be a competitive game and hopefully we’ll return to winning ways.”

Thompson also revealed he was not entirely dissatisfied with the Magpies’ display against the Martyrs two weeks ago.

He said: “I was not unhappy with the performance – I thought second half we were much better. First half I don’t think we really got going, after that we played quite well.

“I told the players that the fans were really appreciative at the end. There were some good parts and bad parts. I can’t moan about the result because I felt that Merthyr created as many chances as we did, if not more.”

Antonio Diaz will be available after the Bournemouth winger signed work experience forms with the Magpies. Thompson’s is also boosted by the news that Ollie Griggs returns after the weekend.

He said: “For me I’m playing at things in the teams and it might be a time to try different systems and different people. We have Ollie returning from playing at Winchester, he’s done well.

“He’ll be coming back for the last five weeks of the season. The main reason for Ollie going out was for him to get games so that when he comes into our team he’ll have four or five games playing 90 minutes, so he should be match fit when he comes back here and plays for us.

“Dom Panesar-Dower is also back from his illness.”

Meanwhile, Sam Lanahan’s departure from the Avenue to ex-club Gosport Borough came just before the transfer window closed, but Thompson is prepared should injuries strike.

He said: “We have registered a few on forms with people on dual registration just in case the worst happens.

“I think we’ve still got 16 or 17 with the departures of Lewis (Leigh-Gilchrist), Sam and Dave Jerrard, so we’ll go with that to the end of the season unless something comes up.”