DORCHESTER Town captain Callum Buckley believes the play-offs are in reach for the Magpies and stressed how the “whole place has changed” at the Avenue.

Buckley’s comments were made in reference to Dorchester’s stellar season so far, which has seen the Magpies consistently in the top third of the table.

Glenn Howes’ men have solidified themselves in the top six in recent weeks, although Bracknell and Swindon Supermarine are well placed to overtake them after completing games in hand.

Teams in second to fifth in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South table will make it through to the play-offs, meaning Dorchester are in genuine contention.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 3-4 Swindon Supermarine - reaction

Speaking to Echosport following the 4-3 loss to Supermarine on Saturday, Buckley mixed optimism with caution over the Magpies’ chances.

He said: “We’ll take each game as it comes, that’s got to be the way. The league’s a bit all over the place.

“It’s difficult to look at the league and reflect on where you are. We’ve got the points and it’s going to be tough because there’s a lot of teams around it.

“What we’re doing right now is really good for the group we have. We can keep pushing, that’s the thing we’ve got in the dressing room.

“Especially at home, we don’t fear many teams coming down which is a lot different to what it was at the beginning of last year.

“That’s what’s changed and the whole place has changed massively.

“Just going into the bar and seeing the fans there, they’ve got real belief back into the club. Hopefully we can continue that and see how far it can take us.

“We’re looking forward to the back end of the season.”

Centre-back Buckley has played a key part in Dorchester’s renaissance this season, exuding calm and confidence into the Magpies’ defence.

Asked for an assessment of his personal season so far, Buckley replied: “Loving it, absolutely loving it.

“I came down to the club originally last year and I signed for the reason because I know what the club was before when I came as a young lad.

“I feel like we’re really getting back to that, which is amazing. Kizza (Kieran Douglas) heads everything for me, Tiago (Sa) is always covering me!

“But no, the squad’s really good. It’s a great group and everyone’s getting on really well.

“We’ve got selection headaches, players like Sloughy (Louie Slough), Jordi (Foot), Harvey (Bertrand), in terms of the back four are really solid and we’ve built on that this year.

“It’s been a really good season, it’s always better when you win. I’m enjoying it.”