DORCHESTER TOWN 1

Koszela 25

SALISBURY 0

DORCHESTER Town weathered heavy late pressure from promotion contenders Salisbury to record an eye-catching 1-0 victory at the Avenue Stadium.

The Magpies now have only one loss in 12 matches and sit third in the form table behind Basingstoke and Totton after Olaf Koszela’s flicked winner.

Adding the cherry on top for boss Tom Killick, the Magpies moved into 12th ahead of his former club Poole, although the Dolphins could draw level on points with their game in hand.

But the win was the latest in a string of impressive results that now have Dorchester targeting the top half, rather than the seven-point cushion to the bottom four.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-0 Salisbury - how it happened

Dorchester were completely unchanged from the line-up that began the 4-3 win over Beaconsfield last time out.

There were also no changes on the substitutes' bench by Killick.

The Magpies and the Whites each had two wins apiece, plus a draw, in their previous five meetings, although Salisbury began the day in second compared to Dorchester’s 14th.

Dorchester will therefore feel pleased with how the first half unfolded as the Magpies blunted Salisbury’s arsenal and looked the more dangerous side.

Man-of-the-moment Will Spetch played through top scorer Shaq Gwengwe in the 12th minute but Salisbury keeper Alex Rutter was equal to his effort.

Dorchester continued to probe for an opening goal as skipper Jordan Ngalo blasted over, but Salisbury gave an indication of their threat as shot-stopper Jameson Horlick was tested by a Charlie Gunson free-kick.

However, the Magpies deservedly went in front in the 25th minute.

Brilliant wing play by Marcus Daws created the goal, nutmegging his man and beating two others before his cross was turned home by Koszela, trickling over the line, for his seventh goal of the season.

Salisbury attempted to respond as ex-Magpies midfielder Gunson clipped in a menacing cross to Noah Coppin, who struck powerfully at goal only to be denied by the quick reactions of Luton loanee Horlick.

Dorchester went straight up the other end and created a half chance for midfielder Corby Moore, who rifled over from range before the break.

After the resumption, Salisbury were much improved but were met with a tenacious Dorchester defence led by the immense Ed James and Horlick.

James impressed for a man only 19 years old, the Exeter loanee part of a back four that came under increasing strain in the second half as Salisbury found their feet.

Coppin fired inches wide in the 50th minute before the Dorchester defence mopped up a free-kick routine, eventually clearing Gunson’s chipped delivery.

Dorchester this time were the team restricted to few openings, Daws darting in from the wing to work Rutter in the 57th minute.

A huge moment in the match came midway through the half as Ollie Haste’s stunning block from Aaron Simpson kept out his goalbound effort, before Jamar Smith’s deflected follow-up spun wide of goal with Horlick stranded.

Salisbury went on to hit the bar as the pressure intensified but Dorchester were thwarted by Rutter at the other end to keep it at 1-0.

Gunson worked Horlick again and also saw a corner punched clear by the Luton man as the match headed for six minutes of stoppage time.

Salisbury piled forward but Dorchester’s defence stood strong to book the Magpies a fourth victory in six matches, taking them into 12th.

Magpies: Horlick, Dickson (Eccott-Young 90), Haste, Ngalo, James, Daws (Fletcher 70), Moore, Koszela, Gwengwe (Waterfield 73), Pardoe, Spetch. Subs not used: Turner, Efedje.

Salisbury: Rutter, Simpson, Jombati, Ball, Gunson, McCreadie, Fitchett, Irving, Coppin, Hedges, Smith. Subs: Leggett, Perez, Dore, Robinson, Sommerton.

Referee: Said Ouchene.

Attendance: 773.