DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson feels it is crucial for the Magpies to turn in an improved showing in their FA Trophy third qualifying round battle with Hungerford Town at the Clayson Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

Last time out, then bottom side Chesham United humbled Dorchester 5-0 in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South after Callum Rose was sent off for two bookings in a minute.

Dorchester progressed to the final qualifying round after eliminating Yate Town and AFC Totton and know a win against the Crusaders, currently struggling one tier above in the National League South (NLS), would catapult them into the main draw.

However, Thompson believes Dorchester will be blown out of the competition should they repeat the levels of performance shown against Chesham.

He told Echosport: “You’re always looking for the win but after Saturday’s defeat it becomes very important to turn in at least a good performance.

“The FA Trophy is good for the club in terms of a little bit of prize money. It’s nowhere near the FA Cup but it helps, so it’s a big game in many aspects.

“This should be much tougher because we’ve played two teams from a lower league, now we play a team from a higher league.

“I would expect it to be a very, very tough game, certainly if we play like we did on Saturday we’ll be well and truly out of the competition, there’s no doubt about that.

“But if we can turn in one of our better performances this season then we may have a chance of winning the game, so that’s obviously got to be the aim.”

With a further £5,000 on offer for teams advancing to the main draw, Thompson denied the FA Trophy is an interference with league business.

He said: “I wouldn’t call it a welcome distraction. I’ve always enjoyed the FA Trophy and FA Cup, the FA competitions are great. They’re good for the club, they give the club a little bit of prize money.

“The FA Trophy’s been slightly diminished for the top National League teams with so many play-off spots, down to seventh. Getting into the League is massive.

“However, for everyone else in non-League football, the FA Trophy is to all intents and purposes our FA Cup.”

Thompson also revealed an NLS striker had turned the Magpies down on Wednesday morning.

He said: “I spoke to a striker (on Tuesday) but he’s not willing to drop down. He’s replied to me, thought about it overnight, but he wants to try and help his team get back into the National League.

“He’s not prepared to drop down, even though I’d agreed with the manager that we could do something if the player was willing.

“I think they look and see us in the league below. A lot of players have aspirations of going up a league.

“No joy on that one. We’ve got Ben Seymour in, he’s got four in five. We’ll need everyone to be on form to get a result.”

Rose serves the first of a two-game suspension while Tom Blair sits out the third of his four-game ban. Dorchester otherwise have a full squad to choose from.