DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson carried some sympathy towards a bedraggled Staines Town as the Magpies thrashed the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South strugglers 6-1.

Antonio Diaz hit a hat-trick and assisted Ben Seymour and Ben Morris goals, while Richard Gillespie also notched for the Magpies, who lost their clean sheet when Che Krabbendam pulled a goal back.

Staines’ Jordan Harrison plus stand-in boss Joe Dixon were then sent off by referee Stuart Kane in a fractious finale.

Speaking post-match, Thompson highlighted the importance of picking up three points against the turmoil-stricken Swans.

He said: “It’s tough for Staines at the moment. They’re out with a very, very young team and they’re getting some grief this season - they’ve only picked up nine points.

“It was important for us to win the game. Really, we needed to win it well, which in the end we did.

“We missed quite a few chances. I’m not saying we played great but it’s good to get a home win to back up that win last Saturday (against Harrow).

“I just wish it could’ve been nine points. We had a great opportunity in midweek, but that’s gone.

“It’s an important three points because it’s so tight down the bottom.”

Asked what the victory means to him, Thompson was in no doubt.

“It means everything because of the points,” he said. “I don’t think beating Staines means a lot because they’re struggling, but the three points are massive.

“It’s great that we’ve got them. To get six points from nine at home in the last three games, even though I’m still disappointed we didn’t pick them up, is good.

“If you’d have said before the three games, you might’ve settled for six or seven.

“It’s a massive result but we go on.

“We’re still going to be in that fight, as are 10 or 11 teams competing not to get dragged into the bottom three.”

Thompson also lavished praise on the influence of Diaz, who contributed to five of the Magpies’ six goals having also scored a brace against the Swans in an identical scoreline back in December.

The Magpies’ manager said: “He was a bright spark, by far and away our best player.

“Even in the first half when I was a bit disappointed with how we played when we went in two-nil up.

“He’d been our bright spark scoring one and making one. It was a good job he was, he got us going and had a very good game.”

Another positive for Thompson was Morris’ goal and Josh Williams’ appearance from the bench.

He said: “It’s good to get them a run out, they’re both local lads.

“It’s good for the club with young local lads. You want them to come through.

“It’s not an easy league to play in and they’ve had game time at Bridport. They really have to stand out to get a regular place in our team.”

Dorchester remained in 15th following the win, but are now four points clear of Chesham United in the first relegation place.