PROUD Dorchester Town boss Steve Thompson insisted the Magpies “gave it everything” in their 2-1 FA Trophy second round loss to Barnet at the Hive Stadium.

Shaq Coulthirst had given the Bees a 50th-minute lead but a spirited Dorchester side equalised through Ben Seymour’s 13th goal in 16 games – hours after he extended his loan from Exeter City to the end of the season.

However, the Magpies’ parity lasted just nine minutes as Craig Robson confirmed Barnet’s prowess in the air with an 81st-minute winner.

Dorchester had scrapped continuously, particularly in defence, to try and keep out the Bees, who prior to kick-off were 47 places above Thompson’s men in the league pyramid.

Speaking to Echosport, Thompson praised his players’ diligence.

He said: “I’m obviously disappointed at the result but as I said to the players when they came in, they gave it everything.

“We were up against a very good team. Barnet showed us the utmost respect, they played the team that beat Sheffield United last week.

“It’s frustrating, but nothing but praise for the effort and the work rate from the players.

“It was a great moment when we got the equaliser, we were just hoping we could hold on and take them back to Dorchester, but it didn’t happen so we have to get on with the league programme.”

Commenting on the goal, Thompson labelled it as a “lovely moment”.

He added: “It was a mammoth effort because the first 20 minutes they really had a lot of possession. It was all hands to the pump to make blocks, defend corners.

“I think they had eight or nine corners in the first half. To go in at 0-0 we’d been quite resolute. Then obviously we conceded but managed to get the goal, which was a lovely moment for everyone.

“It was right in front of the Dorchester fans and they made their feelings known with the celebrations. We couldn’t hold on and that’s a little bit sad.

“But the players came off the pitch and they can have no recriminations about the effort and the work rate they’ve put in. We were beaten by a very good team.”

Thompson was magnanimous in defeat, paying credit to the quality of the opposition.

He said: “Barnet are a very good National League team. I know they’ve got games in hand, they’re just above halfway.

“They do have a lot of good players there and they were very good to us all day. There was no thought of making changes, they went out with what they see as their full-strength team.”