STRIKER Phil Ormrod will leave Dorchester Town with immediate effect ahead of the Magpies’ Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division clash with Dunstable Town at the Avenue Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

Ormrod, who made 26 career appearances for the Magpies, scoring four times, has been suffering with osteitis pubis and had not played since the 3-0 win over Tiverton Town on New Year’s Day, when he was substituted through injury.

Arguably Ormrod’s finest moment this season came in the Magpies’ 2-1 FA Trophy win over Basingstoke Town, when the powerful forward netted both goals.

Speaking to Echosport about the striker’s departure, boss Steve Thompson thanked Ormrod for his contribution this season.

He said: “It’s been mutually agreed that Phil will leave the club, he’s been at the club for a lot of treatment.

“I’d like to thank Phil for his services to the club. When he has played, he’s played well.

“I’m sad that he’s not available, but he’s not been available for 60-70 per cent of games.”

Ormrod’s exit leaves Dorchester with just one specialist striker in Ashley Pope, who is on a work-experience loan from Bournemouth.

On the challenge of facing Dunstable, who lead bottom-placed Gosport by three points having played two games more in the fight for survival, Thompson was wary of being complacent.

He said: “They need the points very badly and we want to get back on the winning trail – two teams that need to win the game for different reasons.

“We’re quite confident with our home form. We’ve won five out of the last six so that’s obviously a good return and we hope to continue that and make it 18 points out of 21.

“But there’s always teams lower in the league beating teams higher. If we needed any reminder we got it against Gosport and drew 3-3. We’ve had a recent reminder that it doesn’t go to league form.”

Callum Rose, Gary Bowles and Dom Panesar-Dower return for Dorchester, while Ed Bastick (hip) may come back.

Thompson also hinted at a “very slight possibility” of signing a forward before the match.