DORCHESTER TOWN U23 0

AFC STONEHAM DEVELOPMENT 1

DORCHESTER Town Under-23s suffered an agonising 1-0 loss to AFC Stoneham Development in the final of the John Stimpson Memorial Shield.

Brian Churchill’s Magpies faced a long trip to Hythe & Dibden for the clash, having beaten Sholing, QK Southampton, Bemerton, Millbrook and New Milton to reach the showpiece event.

In a cagey first half, Dorchester keeper Cameron Pike made two good saves from Kevin Ngombi before Jon Bazley’s audacious overhead kick rattled the bar in the first minute of added time.

The contest looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Isaac Evans headed home Diego Romero’s corner in the 84th minute.

READ MORE: Ashley Wells joins Wimborne after Dorchester exit

Four minutes later, Dorchester were given a dramatic lifeline with a penalty, only for keeper Ben Godwin to save Ruben Smith’s attempt and ensure the Purples won the trophy.

Dorchester still have a League Cup final at home to Gosport to contest.