DORCHESTER Town manager described the Magpies’ 2-1 Buildbase FA Trophy first qualifying round victory over Basingstoke Town as “massive”.

A second-half double from striker Phil Ormrod bagged Dorchester a place in the next round, along with £3,250 in prize money.

Thompson told Echosport that he is keen to “keep winning” in the competition to help his players improve.

He said: “It’s more than a win, it’s massive because financially it’s good for the club to go as far as you can in the Trophy.

“I want to keep winning in this tournament for as long as we can. We know our limitations but I want us to get better and I was very pleased that we responded from a very poor first half.

“We’ve all got to hold our hands up and say that was a poor first half but the difference in the second half was a vast one.”

Elaborating on Dorchester’s performance, Thompson felt it had been a “hard slog” for his side.

He said: “I’m delighted to be in the next round. It was a hard slog. We didn’t play well first half – Basingstoke were the better team.

“From their point of view they’ll think themselves a little unlucky to go in at 0-0. It was a little bit like Tuesday’s game, they were better team first half and we were the better team second half.

“I’m pleased that the second half performance was much improved on the first – it had to be really to get any type of result.”

Thompson revealed that there had been a “few choice words” given to his players at the interval to halt the Dragons’ dominance.

“There were a few choice words for a few players,” he said.

“I felt we were just relying too much on the experience of a couple of players in defensive positions and a few of the boys further forward had to sort themselves out, and thankfully they did.”

The Magpies’ boss praised substitute Ormrod for taking his chance to shine after Rory Fallon sustained a hamstring injury, and also believed the penalty decision for Ormrod’s decisive second goal was correct.

He said: “Phil’s led the line quite well and obviously Rory came off with a hamstring injury, so that a blow. Phil came on and took his opportunity very well.

“It did look (a penalty) from where I am. Two players went for the ball, Sam got there first and the player caught him. It did look a penalty to me.”

And Thompson insisted it is important for the club to build a good run in the FA Trophy.

He said: “It is important. It helps the club financially, it creates an interest for the fans in a cup competition.

“Let’s be honest, our chances of getting Wembley are pretty remote but you have to dream and all players need a dream.

“If Leicester can win the Premier League, maybe a team from a lower division can win the FA Trophy, but that’s a long way ahead, I just want to win the next round!”