DORCHESTER Town manager Steve Thompson believes the Magpies delivered their “best performance” of an increasingly successful FA Trophy campaign after a determined 1-0 win over Hungerford Town sealed their passage to the main draw.

Ben Seymour grabbed a 57th-minute winner to defeat the Crusaders, who are currently struggling at 20th place in the National League South.

His strike brought the Exeter loanee’s tally to five in the competition this season, after scoring four goals against lower-league Yate Town and AFC Totton in the first and second qualifying rounds.

Thompson’s feet were firmly on the ground after the victory though, warning his side to avoid getting “too euphoric” having slipped into the relegation zone in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.

He told Echosport: “We’ve played very well in (the FA Trophy), we played well up at Yate and the replay was competent.

“Totton I thought we played decent without being brilliant and (Hungerford) was the best performance out of all of them to beat a team that are in a league higher.

“I’m very pleased with the work rate and the result. I’m not going to say it makes up for last week, because it doesn’t.

“It’s important not to get too euphoric now after a win, just as it’s important not to get too down after a terrible performance last week.”

Commenting on the dynamics of the match, Thompson expressed his delight at progressing after a “nervy” finish.

He said: “I felt we’d been the better team first half.

“They came out quite strong first 10 minutes of the second half but then we had two or three chances including the goal.

“Their only real chances of the game were in the last five minutes, which was a little bit nervy.

“But, really pleased with the work rate, delighted with the result. It’s important for the club, it means they’ve earned three good bonuses.”

Rather than draw a side in the same division for their first-round clash, Thompson insisted a big payday against a National League side would be his preferred choice.

He said: “Hopefully we can get a big game with a big gate and have a bit of a bonus. It’s probably going to have to be away from home to get a big gate.

“I don’t think a team from below the National League South, or North, has ever won the trophy. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but years of history don’t lie.

“There’s two thoughts, really. One, you want to go as far as you can. You want to get the lowest team at home.

“Then the other is you’ve made it through three rounds which is better than expected, can we get a big payday with a 3,000 crowd at some National League team? Orient would be an example.”

Despite winning, Thompson is still mindful of a need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

He said: “We played good football - we’ve played good football on a lot of occasions this year.

“After a 1-0 win against a team higher, I don’t think the problem of ‘will we score enough goals?’ is cured.

“I have to look at that still, but I can’t fault the lads for their efforts.”