DORCHESTER Town manager Glenn Howes was happy to take a point as the Magpies drew 0-0 at Yate Town.

Olaf Koszela and sub Charlie Gunson had Dorchester’s best moments in front of goal but Yate nearly snatched all three points late on.

Harry Lee made a brilliant save and Callum Buckley cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble, Brandon Smalley hit the bar late on and Lee was required in stoppage-time as Yate banged on the door.

Dorchester’s defence stood firm and the Magpies have now earned 13 points from six games, rounding off a stellar August with consecutive away clean sheets.

READ MORE: Yate Town 0-0 Dorchester Town - match report

Speaking to Echosport, Howes said: “We’re really pleased. If we can get some points when we’re away from the Avenue, we’ll take that.

“It’s been a real energy-sapping Bank Holiday.

“It’s definitely a point gained. When we were on the road we didn’t keep too many clean sheets last year. Everybody is responsible for keeping a clean sheet and (yesterday’s) performance epitomised that.

“We defended from the front and at times away from home you’ve got to have the willingness, character and desire to do that and we did in abundance.”

In a frantic final 15 minutes, Howes said: “Harry made a good double save when the ball was pinballing around our box.

“The desire and endeavour to throw their bodies at that ball and go and engage was absolutely worthy of gaining that point.

“Let’s remember, defending is part of football. We all want to be on the ball and play the way we want.

“Unfortunately, at times, you can’t do that and we have to show other elements of our game. We did that resolutely and Harry really earned his clean sheet – as did the rest of the team.”

Howes revealed Dorchester would be working on their attacks in open play after being restricted to chances at set-pieces against Yate.

He said: “If you were being really critical we didn’t open up Yate as much as we’d want.

“We built our attacks really well at times but I felt our movements weren’t quite as succinct as they have been in previous fixtures.

“When we had those moments in the final third we couldn’t quite create a chance in the final third.

“We had really good chances from set-pieces but from open play that’s one moment for us to go on the training ground, strip it back and have a look.

“They were extremely deep at times, we had to break them down and we didn’t quite have the connections and combinations to do that.

“That generally was focused to our movements, they weren’t quite as sharp as they have been. It was just so pleasing to keep a clean sheet.”

Dorchester next visit Wimborne on Saturday in the FA Cup first qualifying round (3pm).