DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson is keen for a winning response to the Magpies’ FA Cup exit when Hendon visit the Clayson Stadium in Evo-Stik Southern Premier South action tomorrow (3pm).

Thompson’s men were dumped out of the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage in a 2-0 loss to Tiverton Town last time out as River Allen and Levi Landricombe got on the scoresheet.

The Magpies have earned four points from a possible nine at home this season, beating current table toppers Hartley Wintney in the process.

But Thompson called for his side to reply by picking up all three points against the Greens, who sit in seventh compared to Dorchester in 15th.

Referring to the Tiverton defeat, he told Echosport: “We want to get back to winning ways, it’s important if we can. It’s never a nice feeling (to lose) in football.

“A few people thought I was a little bit harsh, but we have to do better than that. I’d never accuse the players of a lack of effort.

“At the end of the day, you have to have the effort but the intelligence, ability, being resolute and determined starts as an individual. I don’t think we did that.

“If you really want it and do have the ability, you have to be winning a game like that, for me.”

Thompson conceded he knows “very little” about Hendon, who despite being in seventh are one point from the league’s summit.

He said: “I’m wary of any team that we’re playing. The league’s pretty close. We beat a team at the top of the league and we’ve had some poor results as well, so I’ll treat Hendon with some respect.

“I know very little about them – I’ve not had the chance to watch them.

“I’ll be trying to get some footage on YouTube, or from people I know, so we can know roughly whether they’re a passing team or a physical team. We’ll hopefully be able to put that into practice.”

Thompson also revealed a lack of progress in his hunt for a striker, but insisted the Magpies would “keep trying” to secure a forward.

He said: “I’ve spoken to various managers and I’ve also spoken to a chairman of a National League club. We’ll just keep trying.

“Obviously strikers worth their salt are with teams. I’ve spoken to a few National League strikers who can’t get into their teams.

“They don’t want to drop two divisions or even one division. They’ve got to realise that getting match fitness is better than sitting in the stands.

“Some modern-day footballers prefer the ego of being with a better club.”

Southampton loanee goalkeeper Kingsley Latham, who was struck down with internal bleeding last week, is set to be out for at least two weeks.

Thompson said: “I spoke to Kingsley on Monday, he’s been discharged (from hospital). I think he can come back to training in 10 days, with Southampton that will be scheduled.

“I’m hoping he might be fit to play in two or three weeks. He’s a lot better than I first thought.

“Aaron Rodriguez has been ill but hopefully he’ll be available to give us full selection.”

Josh Bailey (osteopubis) and Ash Pope (knee) remain out, with the latter a week away from a return, and gloveman Alhaji Sesay is suspended after his red card on debut at Tiverton.