DORCHESTER Town boss Callum Brooks has stressed the need for the Magpies to “box clever” in their Evo-Stik Southern Premier South relegation fight.

Brooks piloted Dorchester to a point during a 0-0 draw with Hendon on Saturday, concentrating on the Magpies’ defence to ensure a minimum of a two-game cushion over Gosport in the bottom three.

But Gosport failed to read the script, beating promotion hopefuls Salisbury 2-0 away to revive their quest for survival.

Brooks told Echosport: “I always felt there might be a shock result somewhere. That’s why I feel a point is even more important because it maintains a two-game swing.

“If Gosport won two games 1-0 and we lost them 1-0 we’d be level on goal difference. That point (at Hendon) could be absolutely huge.

“When you’re in a relegation battle you have to box clever at times – points will get you there, no matter what way you amass them.

“To come away from (Hendon) with nothing I feel would have been tough to take.”

Dorchester will host old enemy Steve Claridge on Saturday, the former Weymouth striker at the Salisbury helm as the Wiltshire club looks to guarantee its place in the play-offs.

Gosport, meanwhile, entertain Merthyr Town – the Welsh side still unsafe despite sitting in 13th with two games in hand on many of their immediate rivals.