DORCHESTER Town interim boss Brian Churchill labelled Alfie Stanley’s blockbuster 50-yard lob as “goal of the season”.

Stanley’s stunner helped the Magpies beat Tiverton 3-2 for what was only their third win of the Pitching In Southern League Premier South season.

The former Portsmouth marksman is the first Dorchester player to score a hat-trick since Tom Purrington’s treble in a 7-0 win against Hamworthy United in December 2019.

Following a goalless first half in which Tiverton’s Gary Warren hit the bar with a header, Stanley put Dorchester into a 2-0 lead.

His first came from the penalty spot, sending Lewis Williams the wrong way after Flavio Tavares was felled in the area.

Purrington was then tripped just outside the box, enabling Stanley to curl a peach of a free-kick into the top corner.

READ MORE: Tiverton Town 2-3 Dorchester Town - match report

Tivvy substitute Jordan Lam then won a penalty for the hosts, drilled home by Louis Morison.

Stanley was to score a sublime third though, hoisting an unbelievable chip above Williams and into the net from the halfway line.

Tiverton ensured a tense finish when Lam scored from 18 yards but Dorchester survived seven minutes of added time to claim a brilliant three points.

Churchill told Echosport: “We really needed that, it was a dogged performance.

“We defended for our lives in the first half and to come in 0-0 was a great result for us.

“We had limited chances but unlike Saturday the ones we did have we took.

“But with Dorch it’s never easy, is it? As soon as we went 2-0 up we concede and then Alfie scored probably goal of the season from the halfway line.

“He’s spotted the keeper off the line and he’s hit it from 50 yards, straight over the keeper’s head, one bounce and in. Amazing goal and a much needed three points.”

On Stanley, Churchill added: “That will give Alfie the world of confidence. He’s going home with the match ball so he’s extremely happy.

“It was almost the total hat-trick. He was tireless up front on his own, he had to work both centre-halves.

“He’s got to run the channel and he did that fantastically. He reaped the rewards of his hard work.”

Churchill also highlighted Dorchester’s all-round play as the Magpies executed his and fellow interim boss Craig Robinson’s plans to the letter.

“It was pretty much set up as we did Saturday, not to get beat and be in the game at half-time,” he said.

“The plan worked really well and then it was everything I’ve asked of them, to put a tackle in, be nasty, be horrible – all the things other teams are to us.

“On a Wednesday night in Tiverton be horrible to play against. It’s role reversal.

“We’ve been on the end of playing well and then getting picked off. (Yesterday) we just sat, defended really well and took our chances.

“That’s what you’ve got to do in this league. I don’t think we’ve scored for a few games. It was nice to register a few goals.”

Dorchester visit Chesham United on Saturday (3pm).