FORMER Dorchester Town manager Steve Thompson believes he could have steered the Magpies to Evo-Stik Southern Premier South safety.

Thompson, 56, was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning and replaced by Callum Brooks 24 hours later after an 85-game spell in charge of the county town club.

Ex-Yeovil manager Thompson won 28 of those matches, drawing 22 and losing 35, coming away with a 32.94 per cent win ratio.

During his 19-month stay, Thompson won his first game at Dunstable Town 1-0 in September 2017 but exited the managerial hotseat after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with relegation rivals Gosport Borough.

The stalemate left Dorchester in the drop zone via goal difference, with a game in hand on Basingstoke directly above them and a further 10 fixtures to play.

Speaking to Echosport, Thompson highlighted the “serious blows” he had been dealt during his tenure this season.

He said: “Obviously things went pretty well last season, but we’ve not really been able to take it forwards this season.

“We’ve had some serious blows during the season, losing Chris Weale before the season started, then Josh Bailey with a cruciate and Cameron Murray, who left to join Weymouth.

“However, despite that I was still confident that we could ensure safety in the last two months.”

But the departed boss has left on good terms, placing on record his gratitude to the club’s hierarchy for their backing while in charge.

“I’d like to thank the chairman (Matt Lucas) for his support over the past 19 months and thank the coaching and medical staff for all their help.

“Finally, I’d like to wish the club well in its remaining fixtures and for future seasons.”

Asked if he had any intention of returning to football in either a management or coaching capacity, Thompson stated it was “too early” to decide.