Dorchester seek solace in the Senior Cup at the Avenue Stadium tonight after their worst run in the league for more than two years, kick-off 7.45pm.

They will be looking to end a sequence of three league defeats - which have seen their Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion hopes take a nose-dive - at the expense of Elite Teamwear Dorset Premier League title chasers Hamworthy United.

The Hammers, who are managed by ex-Magpie Sean Bartlett, have already recorded a 2-1 victory at the Avenue Stadium this season over Dorchester's second string and manager Mark Morris believes they will provide his out-of-sorts side with a test of character if the game goes ahead.

However a penetrating overnight frost and no sign of a rise in temperatures means the game is in serious doubt.

"Yesterday the frost did not ease at all in the shaded areas the sun doesn't reach at this time of the year," said Magpies secretary David Martin today.

"At 7 o'clock last night it was still frozen solid so we have asked match referee Royston Mitchell to make an inspection at 1pm. We are not very optimistic."

Meanwhile Morris has already made stand-by arrangements to put his men through a training session if the match is off.

Should it be postponed the tie could be played on Saturday, when the Magpies are without a Dr Martens League fixture because of Eastbourne Borough's involvement in the FA Trophy, or next Tuesday night.

Dorchester squad: Ormerod, Poore, Radcliffe, Cherrett, White, Harris, Holmes, Brown, Shepherd, Groves, Jermyn, Keeler, Hann, Cooper, Oldbury, Walker, Andrews.

* Former Terra Lance Spencer is staying with the Magpies after all.

The teenage striker was not named in Dorchester Reserves side by manager Phil Simkin at the weekend because he believed he had signed for Screwfix League Street.

"In fact it was Lance's father Micky who has joined Street," explained Simkin today. "It was all a bit of a mis-understanding and now it's been sorted I'm happy for Lance to continue his trial with us."