DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson admitted the Magpies are in a “relegation fight” ahead of a crucial clash at fellow Evo-Stik Southern Premier South strugglers Frome Town tonight (7.45pm).

After a midweek round of fixtures in which Thompson’s men played no part, Dorchester have slipped into the relegation zone following Swindon Supermarine’s 2-1 win over the Robins.

The Magpies’ placing of 20th is one below Frome, who have earned just one more point despite having played two more games.

After meeting Frome, Dorchester embark on a pivotal December featuring battles against bottom side Staines plus lowly Supermarine and Wimborne in addition to two derbies with arch-rivals Weymouth.

Commenting on this evening’s meeting with the Robins, Thompson felt that lapsing into the drop zone could act as a reality check to his squad after a superb 1-0 win over Hungerford Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

He told Echosport: “We’ve got a very important game against Frome. We’re in the bottom three, in a relegation fight.

“All players if they didn’t realise it, certainly do realise it when they see the league table and see themselves in the bottom three.

“We need to go there and show the same application and work rate (as against Hungerford) and hopefully get the same result.

“If you’re saying to me you’re picking the same team, you’d like to think so. But there are a couple of boys with knocks, I’m hoping they’re going to be fit.

“The two suspended players (Callum Rose and Tom Blair) are still out, Aaron Rodriguez has broken his wrist so we’re without three players definitely.”

Asked if he’d take a point against Frome, Thompson said: “I’d probably take my chances. Three points are invaluable at this stage, coming off the back of a good performance.

“We’ve got to go out and produce the same level of performance. If we produce that same level I’d like to think we’ll win the game.”

Both Rose and Blair sit out the final games of their respective two and four-match bans.

Meanwhile, Dorchester’s highly-anticipated Boxing Day derby with Weymouth at the Clayson Stadium has been brought forward two hours to a 1pm kick-off.

The re-arrangement is based on advice from Dorset Police and following talks between the two rival clubs.

The Magpies were also drawn away to either Eastbourne Borough or Dartford in the FA Trophy first round. The tie will be played on Saturday, December 15, meaning Dorchester's home clash with Farnborough will be re-arranged.