Dorchester Town 1-1 Tiverton Town: Aaron Dawson rescues point for Tivvy

Stanley 59

TIVERTON TOWN 1

Dawson 88

TEN-MAN Dorchester Town were held to a 1-1 draw as Tiverton claimed an 88th-minute equaliser in their Pitching In Southern League Premier South battle at the Avenue Stadium.

Dorchester had good first-half chances as Olaf Koszela fired over and new signing Yemi Odubade fired at Tivvy keeper Lewis Williams.

Alfie Stanley got the goal Dorchester deserved in the 59th minute with a superb header from an even better George Calverley cross.

But Tom Purrington was contentiously shown a straight red for a heavy tackle on Jordan Lam seven minutes from time.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-1 Tiverton Town - how it happened

His absence allowed Tiverton to exploit the extra space as Aaron Dawson thumped home a well-taken volley two minutes from time.

Dorchester had by far the clearer chances and will perhaps see this result as two points dropped with Tiverton having created so little prior to their equaliser.

Dorchester boss Glenn Howes showed three changes to the line-up that began the 3-0 loss at Hayes & Yeading last Saturday.

In came Sam Bayston, Alfie Stanley and new signing Yemi Odubade, the latter having joined the club hours before kick-off.

Charlie Madden (groin), Ash Wells (suspension) and Charlie Gunson missed out.

On the bench there were two new faces in defenders Harvey-Joe Bertrand and Josh Baxter - the latter a returning player having featured prominently for the Magpies' under-23s just 18 months ago.

Other options from the dugout for Dorchester included under-23 stars Ash Guppy, Ben Symes and Connor Callow.

Ashley Guppy, right, came on as a second-half substitute for Dorchester Picture: DAVID PARTRIDGE

Tiverton made the faster start of the two sides, winning a corner after just 15 seconds, but Dan Hayfield’s cross was too strong.

Dorchester’s first attack ended similarly as Williams gathered a corner, Magpies’ captain Callum Buckley then blocking his kick to earn a needless yellow card.

Tivvy were nearly let in by a weak Oakley Hanger header but Tom Soares, filling in at centre-back amid a defensive injury, was on hand to block Lam’s effort.

Gary Warren headed harmlessly over from a Tivvy corner before a major chance for Dorchester.

Sam Bayston did superbly well to lift in a cross from the left but Koszela’s fierce volley from six yards somehow cleared the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Dawson side-footed over from 20 yards before Tiverton striker Theo Simpson was denied by the legs of Dorchester keeper Jack Bycroft when through on goal.

Calverley was next to go close for Dorchester as he skipped past two challenges before lashing an effort just shy of the far post.

As time ebbed away in the first half, Austen Booth scythed down Koszela in a similar fashion to Purrington’s red card, but received yellow.

Odubade, who proved a lively presence up front on debut, then held off this man as he bore down on goal from Stanley’s pass but Williams stood firm to beat clear his effort.

Yemi Odubade, right, enjoyed a impressive Dorchester debut Picture: DAVID PARTRIDGE

Williams was less assured at the beginning of the second half when he spilled Stanley’s shot and had to rely on a covering defender to hook clear.

Former Weymouth midfielder Chris Shephard’s deflected shot briefly had Bycroft worried but Tiverton made nothing of the corner.

Dorchester had enjoyed the greater chances but Stanley put away perhaps their most difficult on the hour mark.

Calverley’s whipped cross from the left was aimed perfectly at the run of Stanley who still had plenty to do despite being unmarked.

The former Portsmouth man opted to guide a header back across goal and he executed a high-tariff finish with poise to register his fourth goal against Tivvy this season.

Koszela should have made it 2-0 when Bayston found in deep inside the area but the Torquay loanee poked straight at Williams as Tiverton survived.

For the next 20 minutes the visitors came forward without creating a clear chance, although there was a nervy moment for Bycroft as he misdirected a punch behind for a corner which amounted to nothing.

But in the 83rd minute Tiverton were given a lifeline when Purrington’s late tackle on Lam drew a red card from referee Alex James.

Tom Purrington, right, was sent off late on for the Magpies Picture: DAVID PARTRIDGE

While the challenge did not merit a red card, Tiverton were incensed and a big fracas raged around Lam as he lay on the ground.

Soares was the most prominent Dorchester player involved and he was booked, while Dawson escaped punishment despite playing an equally large part in the handbags.

With Tiverton already dominating territory it was no surprise when an equaliser came as Dawson smashed a well-controlled low volley beyond Bycroft.

And Tiverton should have won it in the 90th minute but Lam contrived to roll his shot across goal from two yards.

After the late drama, Dorchester breathed a sigh of relief when sub Louis Morrison curled just wide of the far post.

Dorchester were then able to see out a point which could well have been all three but for Purrington’s contentious dismissal.

Howes’ men remain 19th and gain a point on Hartley Wintney in 18th after their 2-1 loss at Hendon.

They also extended to five points their advantage over Kings Langley in the bottom three after Lango lost 3-2 to Met Police despite leading 2-0 after 18 minutes.

Magpies: Bycroft, Hanger, Calverley, Purrington, Buckley, Soares, Bayston (Symes 90+2), Odubade (Callow 81), Koszela, Stanley (Guppy 68), Lowes. Subs not used: Bertrand, Baxter.

Tiverton: Williams, Belsten, Woodman, Dawson, Warren (Iseguan 46), Pond (Watkins 67), Lam, Hayfield, Simpson (Morrison 73), Booth, Shephard. Subs not used: Egan, Heon.

Referee: Alex James

Attendance: 396