DORCHESTER TOWN 0

LEAMINGTON 1

Austin 36

NOT EVEN the return of player-manager, Mark Jermyn, could prevent the Magpies from slipping to a second defeat in five days against promotion-hopefuls, Leamington.

The Warwickshire side clinched a league double thanks to a solitary goal nine minutes from the break when Sam Austin, who netted twice in the midweek clash between the sides, pounced on a loose ball after Dorchester had failed to clear a cross from Lee Moore.

The main talking point will not be the goal but the 55th minute incident which saw a straight red card issued to Dorchester’s Gary Bowles for his touchline challenge on James Mace who was also sent off for his reaction.

The incident had also sparked a melee among the players but referee Robert Dabbs took no further action after consulting his assistants.

Jason Brookes was handed a rare start up front for the Magpies with Nathan Walker slotting back in to defence, although the two switched roles in the second half when Dorchester were a goal behind.

The match started at a slow pace although a strong headed back-pass from Bowles needed home keeper Shane Murphy to be alert.

The first intended goal attempt came from the visitors when Courtney Baker-Richardson created space for a shot which was blocked by Walker with Richard Taundry blasting over the loose ball chance which followed.

Austin, on loan from League One Burton Albion, curled a 20-yard effort just wide then delivered a left-wing cross which Mace headed wide at the far post.

The Magpies carved out their first attempt when Toby Holmes chased a long clearance and then centred to Ben Watson, whose shot was blocked by Mace. Austin then beat Jake Smeeton to centre for Baker-Richardson, who nodded over from six yards.

A few minutes later though it was the lively Austin that pounced to drill home what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Walker resumed attacking duties at the start of the second half but was needed back in defence to cut out a Taundry free-kick on 52 minutes.

Following the reduction of both sides to 10 men, it was Leamington who produced the next goal attempt but Baker-Richardson’s effort proved no problem for Murphy.

The Brakes were forced into a substitution when Jamie Hood was stretchered off with a leg injury to be replaced by Ben George.

A header from Walker header was saved by Tony Breeden in the visitors’ goal, who then reacted sharply to dive to his right and smother a Charlie Davis free-kick, awarded for a foul on substitute Bradley Tarbuck.

Davis then hammered a loose ball wide from 25 yards as the Dorchester challenge petered out.

Despite 10 minutes of added time, the Magpies could not find a way through a well-marshalled Leamington midfield and defence, as their visitors comfortably held on to their lead and claim three precious points which saw them move up to third in the league table.

Dorchester: Murphy, Bowles, Martin, Jermyn, Walker, Lander, Davis, Smeeton, Brookes, Watson, T Holmes (Tarbuck 76). Subs not used: Proffitt, Crittenden, Ayunga, Walker-Harris

Leamington: Breeden, Taundry, Gudger, Fry, Hood (George 74), Mace, Moore, Edwards, Mackey (Tank 59), Baker-Richardson (Oulton) 87, Austin. Subs not used: Caviezel-Cox, Ogleby

Bookings: Magpies — Brookes (foul) Leamington — None

Sent off: Dorchester — Bowles (two-footed challenge)

Leamington — Mace (violent conduct)

Referee: Robert Dabbs (Weymouth)

Attendance: 342