DORCHESTER TOWN 0

YATE TOWN 1

Hopper 87

DORCHESTER Town suffered defeat in their final home game of the season as Yate Town kept alive their play-off hopes with a 1-0 victory at the Avenue Stadium.

Dorchester, who achieved safety at Salisbury 48 hours ago, created numerous chances in the first half but were made to pay by Luke Hopper’s 87th-minute winner.

It means Yate are three points away from the play-offs with one game remaining, but require three points against Gosport, plus Weston-super-Mare to lose to Harrow and a 12-goal swing to take place.

For Dorchester, the equation was much simpler – give game time to players short on minutes plus youth stars.

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In all, the Magpies made six changes to the starting line-up that began the 1-0 victory at Salisbury.

Olaf Koszela, Billy Lowes and Tom Purrington all dropped to the bench while Tiago Sa, Callum Buckley (shin) and Harry McGrath played no part.

That allowed under-23s star Josh Phillips to earn a first-team debut, while Jack Wadham, Yemi Odubade, Charlie Gunson, Louie Slough and Tom Soares started.

There was further under-23 representation on the bench as Ben Symes and Josh Baxter took their place in the dugout.

Phillips had scored seven goals in his past three games for the under-23s and Street – the latter with whom he is dual registered.

And the in-form right-back went on to earn man-of-the-match, despite being asked to play at left-back in the absence of Sa.

He nearly made an instant impression in the first minute when Alfie Stanley narrowly failed to make contact with his through ball.

Gunson, Soares and Stanley were all off target with shots as Yate struggled to contain the Magpies.

Yate finally worked keeper Jack Bycroft with a free-kick before Stanley tested Andy Hannah at the other end.

Amid warm conditions, the chances flowed as Slough forced Hannah into a save from a corner, before Wadham mirrored his effort prior to half-time.

Phillips menaced the Yate attack again in the second half when supplying Oakley Hanger for a header, which Hannah saved, before an enterprising dribble from Harvey Bertrand created a chance for Gunson to fire wide.

Baxter earned a first-team debut at the expense of Ash Wells and Koszela replaced Stanley as boss Glenn Howes rang the changes.

The centre-back nearly gifted Yate a goal when his pass-back put Yate through, but he soon made amends with a brilliant recovery challenge.

Odubade is still without a goal since joining Dorchester. He made way for Symes, who also took his opportunity to impress well.

There was a brief scare for the Magpies eight minutes from time as Bycroft was untroubled by a wayward effort from a good Yate chance.

Koszela and Hanger nearly stole the points for Dorchester, only to waste good openings – a development Yate were in the mood to punish three minutes from time.

Yate flooded the box with players and seized upon a half chance as Hopper buried a close-range strike, which beat Bycroft.

Dorchester had come mightily close to earning a fourth straight clean sheet but they were also denied a penalty when Symes tumbled in the area, the officials waving play on.

Bycroft was even given licence to play up front for a stoppage-time free-kick, but Yate cleared to complete the double over Dorchester and maintain their slim play-off hopes.

After yet another late defeat this season, Dorchester now turn their attentions to their final game of the season at Walton Casuals on Saturday (3pm).

Magpies: Bycroft, Hanger, Phillips, Soares, Bertrand, Slough, Gunson, Wells (Baxter 66), Odubade (Symes 75), Stanley (Koszela 70), Wadham. Subs not used: Purrington, Lowes.

Referee: Alex James

Attendance: 480