DORCHESTER Town assistant manager James Wood feels the Magpies have taken the “next step” in their progress after beating title-hunters Truro City 1-0.

Glenn Howes’ men had not beaten a side the manager himself labelled as one of the “big four” in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South this season.

Defeats to Weston, Truro and Chesham have all checked Dorchester’s eye-catching form, until Charlie Gunson’s 30-yard piledriver sealed a valuable victory, boosting them to sixth place.

Dorchester did ride their luck with Dan Sullivan hitting the post, Kyle Egan denied at close-range by Ryan Hall and goalline clearances from Matty Neale and Harvey Bertrand.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-0 Truro City - match report

But the Magpies were not without chances themselves as Harvey Bradbury passed up three excellent openings and Shaq Gwengwe headed over.

Overall, this win marks another milestone in Dorchester’s project.

He told Echosport: “We looked at the teams we’d lost to, obviously Truro at their place – although there were a few circumstances, Brad (Snelling) going off, the penalty, things like that.

“But we knew Truro were far better than us. You look at your Westons, your Cheshams. Even though we’d competed in a lot of these games, ultimately we’ve got nothing out of them.

“That’s the next step for us. That’s what we’re trying to get through to these players.

“We’re relatively young in our journey with what we want to do. It’s vital if you want to be successful you have to take points off the top teams.

“I thought they were really good. Whoever finishes above Truro will win the league, I have no doubt about that.

“I was pleased. (Dorchester) showed a real desire, good aggression and created chances. We passed the ball well at times and rode our luck.

“Truro had chances, we’re not going to discount that. I thought the boys were good value for it, I really do.”

Elaborating on the winner, Wood revealed the free-kick routine was improvised by Jordan Ngalo and Gunson.

“We take no credit for that at all,” Wood said. “It’s something that they’ve decided to do themselves, which was good.

“We know when you play these top teams, they are defensively very strong. They’re big, strong, they defend their box exceptionally well.

“Credit to Guns, Jordan. They were given the licence to work something short, they were brave enough to do it.

“It’s so frustrating because we probably see Guns do that in training three or four times a week.

“He has been on great form but I think he’s been a bit unlucky as well. He can definitely strike a ball. Delighted for him and his all-round performance was superb.”

Gunson’s goal added to his match-winner against Salisbury but Wood also picked out Dorchester’s defending as reason to be cheerful going into Christmas.

Wood said: “We showed a desire, which is what Glenn’s asking for. At the start of the season we had a real desire to defend our box.

“I wouldn’t say it’s gone missing but it was in full evidence (on Saturday). You could see that desire to hold on to what they’ve got and not accept defeat against these top teams.

“We want to be going toe-to-toe with them ultimately. They’ll go on, probably get promotion and be challenging.

“It’s good we’re in that position and we showed that desire, which is really important.

“It’s always pleasing to keep a clean sheet in any game in this league. I absolutely love a 1-0 victory.

“From a defensive point of view it’s something we thrive on and it’s something we’ve always built success on.

“We have that platform to allow your attack-minded players to go and win you games.

“It’s all built from your goalkeeper, your back four and defensive midfield players. I thought they were excellent.”

Dorchester next visit fourth-placed Poole Town on Boxing Day (1pm).