DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson believes the Magpies “deserved to win” after watching his side draw 2-2 at Beaconsfield Town in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.

Despite producing numerous opportunities and hitting the woodwork twice, Dorchester twice fell behind when Anthony Mendy bagged a brace of headers.

Aaron Rodriguez was a key figure for the visitors, his 19th-minute shot cannoning off the post and into the net via goalkeeper Nick Hamann’s head before rifling home with eight minutes left to seal a point.

Speaking to Echosport following the contest, which saw the Magpies consolidate their position in 14th, Thompson was adamant Dorchester were the “better team”.

He said: “I thought we played well for the whole first half. We dropped off in the first 20 (minutes) of the second half but came back strong again in the last half of the second half.

“Really, we deserved to win it. We created 10 or 11 good chances compared to maybe their four, possibly five.

“So on the balance of play we were the better team. It’s a shame we drew but I can’t fault the lads for effort and, like I said, we played well.

“Sometimes the results don’t always prove it. I thought we played much better than the 3-0 win over Wimborne. Some people will look at results, but there you go.”

Thompson conceded that several factors had blocked the Magpies’ path to goal.

He said: “(It was a) combination of wasteful finishing, saves by the keeper and a couple of clearances off the line, the post on two occasions as well.

“We changed the system as well as a few players, I thought we played much better.

“I was pleased with the players even though I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t get the three points, I’m pleased with the players’ performance.”

A change from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 worked for Thompson against Wimborne and the manager again employed that formation to combat that Rams.

He said: “That was no tactical masterplan on Tuesday. It was a little bit desperation in having played so poorly in the first half, I felt that I had to do something.

“I thought we played a lot better (against Beaconsfield) than we did in any part on Tuesday.

“We’re doing OK, we all know what I need. I would like to get another centre forward in but it’s proving difficult to do.”

After levelling at 2-2, Thompson admitted the only thing missing was the “icing on the cake” of an elusive winner.

He said: “I’m very pleased. The icing on the cake would have been to get the winner.

“We came back strongly and we had to come back from behind again. We’ve had to do that a few times this season and we did it again, so that’s a pleasing sign.”

Thompson also highlighted the contribution of Rodriguez, who made his first start of the campaign.

“He did really well, played really well, scored a goal and was instrumental in the other goal as well which came back off the goalkeeper having hit the post.

“I’m very pleased for Aaron and it’s great to have him back in the team,” he said.