DORCHESTER Town boss Callum Brooks admits prior to his first match he would have “snapped someone’s arm off” to stand within one game of Evo-Stik Southern Premier South safety.

In Brooks’ seven games as manager, Dorchester have won three matches, drawing and losing twice apiece to elevate themselves to 15th from the final relegation spot of 20th.

The Magpies’ 11 points gained in that duration have proven critical, with a six-point buffer to Gosport in 20th handing Dorchester the chance to earn safety with either a draw or victory over Kings Langley on Saturday should results go their way.

Consequently, Brooks is upbeat and optimistic about fulfilling his remit of survival.

Speaking after the 4-1 defeat to Salisbury, he told Echosport: “We’ve just got to remind ourselves where we were to the position we’re in now.

“The reality is we’re one win away from safety. We didn’t get it (against Salisbury) but thankfully we’ve got three more opportunities.

“Our destiny isn’t decided. Plan A was to pick up a result – it didn’t go according to plan. Then you fall back on plan B and hope others around you have been beaten because that’s all you’ve got.

“I know a couple of results went our way and we’ve got another game to go at.

“Seven games ago we would have absolutely snapped someone’s arm off to be in this position.

“Initially where we’ve won games and had an unbelievable start, you start looking ahead and looking up the table thinking ‘we might just be able to beat them’ when the reality is there are flaws in what our group are doing – that’s why they’re down there.

“We know that and it’s not about pointing fingers, it’s about sticking together and going into the next game.”

Brooks added that the Magpies would look to keep hold of realism in their quest to remain in the division.

He said: “We know what the objective was and we know we’re on for that, so it’s about maintaining that realism to make sure we’re right.

“People will look at it and go ‘next week you’re away from home’. Next week will be a different game of football.

“Our job is to get ourselves right, dust ourselves off and if we get the win that we need to secure our place in the division we’re not going to look back (on the Salisbury loss).

“Survival is the only objective. I just urge, as I did before the game, whether it’s supporters, players, players’ families, staff, everyone.

“We’ve just got to stick together and keep putting one foot in front of the other, working hard, being positive and getting the points we need.

“Survival can have a big impact going forwards because it is an achievement. That can stand us in good stead and be a little bit of a springboard at the beginning of the season.”