RESOLUTE Dorchester Town earned applause from boss Tom Killick after their 2-1 win at Swindon Supermarine.

The Webbswood Stadium has been a bogey ground for the Magpies, Supermarine claiming seven straight wins on home turf over Dorchester prior to this fixture.

However, Will Fletcher’s 18th-minute goal set Dorchester on their way after the Marine hit the outside of the post from a corner.

Even Henry Spalding’s equaliser did not shift the Magpies’ momentum as Fletcher added his second goal on the cusp of half-time.

READ MORE: Swindon Supermarine 1-2 Dorchester Town - report

Dorchester created more opportunities for Leighton Thomas and Ollie Haste before a late home assault as the Magpies needed to clear a shot off the line.

There was a late hairy moment as Spalding flashed a golden chance wide in the 89th minute but Dorchester were good value for their first away triumph under Killick.

“People close to the club can see what the players have been putting into games,” the Dorchester manager told Echosport.

“I see on top of that what they’re putting into training, but the vast majority of people are looking at results and seeing that they’re not very good.

“It was good to see the players rewarded for all the effort they’ve been putting in over recent weeks.”

Asked for the main positives in Dorchester’s display, Killick said: “Probably resilience in difficult conditions against a side that are having a bit of a resurgence.

“Being, once again, in front at half-time but this time seeing it out. The big thing was resilience, mental and physical, it was very good.”

He added: “Swindon are very much a possession-based team. We decided because of the conditions that we were going to be a little bit direct.

“They had more possession than us but we felt we created the better chances.”

As for Fletcher, the striker now has three goals since joining the club from Poole Town last month.

And Killick reiterated his belief that Fletcher has more improvements to come.

He said: “I must admit, Will I feel has improved in going away to Hamworthy from Poole to get some regular game time, that’s really helped him.

“He looks exceptional in terms of what he’s bringing to the team. He’s at an age I feel there’s still improvement in him.

“He’s really been seamless how he’s fitting in both on the field and into the social side of it. It’s really pleasing and I think the lad is really enjoying himself.

“Where he’s probably been on the periphery of things for a while, certainly when he was at Poole, just seeing him play and doing what he’s doing, I feel very happy for him.”

With the victory marking only Killick’s second, and first on the road, in nine matches the ex-Poole maestro was delighted to tick off another yardstick.

He said: “Yes, again, you’re trying to instil a bit of belief in the players and to get them to feel that there are really positive things ahead.

“The only way you can get them to really buy into it is if you’re getting results.

“We’ve had a few games where they were putting a lot into it but we haven’t got anything.

“From a morale and confidence point of view it was really important. Another defeat would’ve been very difficult for us.”

Victory moved Dorchester up into 16th, extending to five points the gap between themselves and Supermarine.

Dorchester now head into a Dorset Senior Cup quarter-final at home to big-spending Shaftesbury tomorrow (7.30pm).