DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson has labelled the Magpies’ FA Trophy first qualifying round tie at Evo-Stik Southern Division One South leaders Yate Town tomorrow (3pm) as a “big game”.

The FA Trophy represents Dorchester’s final chance of a cup run in a national competition after their 2-0 FA Cup second qualifying round loss to Tiverton Town in September.

Last season, the Magpies progressed to the second qualifying round after a 2-1 win over Basingstoke before exiting when Heybridge Swifts overturned a 1-0 deficit late on to win the contest 2-1.

And now Thompson is targeting an extended presence in the FA Trophy as his side looks to pick up its first win in three games.

He told Echosport: “After the FA Cup it is the biggest cup competition so it’s a big game. We obviously want to get through as many rounds as we can and have a good run in this tournament.

“It will be a tough game. I’m trying to find out as much about (Yate) as I can. I spoke to a couple of people who’ve seen them play this year but I don’t know loads about them.

“They’re going well in their league and they’ll have the confidence of generally winning week to week.

“The FA Trophy, maybe for some of the National League teams, lost a bit of gloss when they had the extra promotion and play-off places, but certainly not for anyone below National League – we want to progress as far as we can.

“I’d like to have a very good run, but you have to win games and we’ve lost our last two so we need to get back on the winning trail. If it takes a replay, it takes a replay, but we have to not lose the game.”

Dorchester’s search for a striker has been under the microscope in recent weeks, but Thompson confessed there may be a “possibility” of signing a marksman before facing the Bluebells.

He said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of clubs and there is a possibility with a team that they’re trying to get a player out (on loan).

“But the chances are that if a team from the league above us come in for him, they will take him.”

Thompson, who missed training on Tuesday with flu, is set to welcome back goalkeeper Kingsley Latham from internal bleeding after Alhaji Sesay’s one-month loan expired this week, while Cameron Murray (dead leg) has also recovered.

Dorchester have a slight doubt over Dom Panesar-Dower but otherwise possess a fully-fit squad.