DORCHESTER TOWN 1

Bath 26

HUNGERFORD TOWN 3

Harding 14, 32, Fasanmade 20

DORCHESTER Town continued their pre-season efforts with a 3-1 loss to an energetic Hungerford Town at the Avenue Stadium.

Dorchester have targeted summer games against higher-ranked opposition and National League South side Hungerford provided a glimpse of the standard above the Magpies.

Leigh Robinson’s side quickly discovered the Crusaders were a class act as the Wiltshire side swept into a 2-0 lead after Tiago Sa’s long-range effort just missed the target.

Striker James Harding tapped into an empty net from a skidding cross along the six-yard box for 1-0, before Ollie Griggs saw an effort superbly saved in reply.

Less than 60 seconds later, Hungerford doubled their lead as Kyle Tooze claimed his second assist, this time teeing up Craig Fasanmade to slide home past Bradley Smith.

Dorchester halved the deficit in the 26th minute when Tom Bath, who shook off a knee issue to play, swept home after a surging run from a trialist winger.

Hungerford’s response produced a third goal as Harding grabbed a brace, poking past Smith from Sol Wanjua-Smith’s teasing ball.

In a less eventful second half, a Dorchester trialist flung a free-kick over before Billy Lowes wasted a half chance following a cutting team move.

Dorchester’s fitness did not wane as it did in Friday’s 4-1 loss to Bristol City and Sam Bayston spurned a late chance to make it 3-2, firing over after good work from sub Joel Hewitt.

Bristol Rovers Under-23s visit Dorchester on Friday (7.45pm).

Magpies: Smith, Trialist, Sa, Trialist (Poole 46), Dunstan (Madden 46), Lowes, Clarke, Griggs, Bath (Hewitt 80), Trialist, Bayston.