DORCHESTER Town’s rock-solid defence was a key part of a milestone 1-0 win over Hayes & Yeading United, manager Tom Killick believes.

In going a ninth game unbeaten, the Magpies surpassed a 19-year record of eight matches without loss stretching back to the 2004/05 Conference South season.

Luke Pardoe’s 16th-minute goal proved the winner in Middlesex, but relegation-threatened Hayes did hit the post through Tommy Wood who was later dismissed in stoppage-time for a second yellow.

Dorchester’s clean sheet was all the more impressive with the experienced Will Spetch missing through suspension.

READ MORE: Hayes & Yeading United 0-1 Dorchester Town - report

Killick therefore turned to a youthful pairing of Exeter loanee Ed James and homegrown talent Ieuan Turner in central defence as they helped subdue United to very few chances.

Killick told Echosport: “We’ve got two very young lads playing centre-back in the absence of Spetchy.

“Ieuan and Ed I felt were immense. They showed a real maturity and discipline to their performance.

“It’s particularly pleasing for Ieuan because with Ed and Will’s partnership he’s been on the periphery. He got his opportunity and took it with both hands.

“What the players are putting into games in terms of their effort is just so pleasurable to witness.

“I feel they really developed into a solid group with a real mental and physical strength. Against another team in the danger zone, it makes it doubly important.”

He added: “Particularly, as the game went on (Hayes) committed more men forwards.

“So, we carried on being a threat ourselves but pretty much negated them to not much at all.

“It’s testament to how hard the players are working and their physical and mental fortitude.”

Killick also praised Pardoe after his second goal since joining from Poole Town returned all three points.

“I’m still amazed Poole let him go,” Killick admitted. “Their loss is our gain.

“He’s really maturing, he’s always been good to have in your team when you’re in possession but now he's added a maturity and work ethic to his game which makes him very effective out of possession as well.

“It was nothing close to being a strength previously but I feel that over time, to his credit, he’s added to his game.

“It was a brilliant all-round performance from him, capped off with the goal. I’m very happy with him.”