DORCHESTER TOWN 2

Lolos 7, Martin 90+5

WALTON CASUALS 2

Ewington 73, Gogonas 87

A DEFLECTED Neil Martin strike salvaged a point for Dorchester Town in a chaotic 2-2 draw with 10-man Walton Casuals in the BetVictor Southern Premier South at the Clayson Stadium.

Klaidi Lolos put the Magpies ahead before Casuals’ keeper Alex Tokarczyk was shown red for violent conduct in an incident with Callum Rose.

The red galvanised Walton who went 2-1 up as James Ewington and Manolis Gogonas pounced before Martin’s intervention.

Dorchester manager Callum Brooks made eight changes to the side that began the 2-1 victory over Sherborne on Wednesday, November 6.

Centre-back Martin plus central midfielders Franklyn Clarke and Billy Lowes were the sole survivors from that clash as Shane Murphy, Ashley Wells, Tiago Sa, Rose, captain Dan Strugnell, Lolos, Charlie Davis and Tom Purrington all came in.

Devon Arnold, a new youth loan signing from Yeovil, took his place on the bench alongside Michael Peck, Sean Wright, Jack Torniainen and goalkeeper Nick Hutchings.

However, top scorer Tom Bath (knee) was out, while Tom Blair served the first of a two-game suspension for his red card against Harrow.

New signing Connal Morrison (toes) also failed to make the matchday squad.

Needing a good start after conceding a 97th-minute winner to Harrow in their last league outing, Dorchester were rewarded for a bright start, characterised by a high press.

Work ethic off the ball set the Magpies in motion for their opener as Purrington first closed down then dispossessed Casuals' left-back Jude Mason tight to the far touchline.

The Plymouth loanees then combined in the area, Lolos controlling before firing low past Walton’s gloveman Tokarczyk into the far corner.

Tokarczyk’s opposite number Murphy had been a complete spectator until the 23rd minute when Stags’ top-scorer Rohdell Gordon curled a beauty towards the top corner, forcing the former Totton stopper into a flying stop to his left.

Alongside Lolos, Rose had been the stand-out performer for Dorchester, the centre-back making a number of headed clearances – the latest coming as David Fitzpatrick sent in a whipped free-kick following a clumsy Clarke foul.

Murphy showed inconsistency in the 38th minute, unconvincingly pushing a Bradley Pearce drive wide before making a stunning reaction save at his near post to tip over Fitzpatrick’s volley.

If Dorchester had allowed Casuals to come back into the game following their impressive start, the hosts finished it on top as another break created by the smart hold-up play of Lolos saw Davis clip the ball to Lowes, provoking a handball shout before Purrington scuffed his shot at goal.

After the break, Purrington and Clarke signalled Dorchester’s intentions with two excellent tackles and more assertive play led to a key moment in the match, 61 minutes in.

A deep free-kick was warded out of play by Mason, who was lightly shoved by Rose toward the advertising hoardings. Tokarczyk took exception and, with a clenched fist, pushed Rose in the back of the head, leading to a straight red following referee Robert Cockle’s lengthy consultation with his nearside linesman.

An increasingly fractious game brought yellow for Rene Howe’s clip on Lolos, while a needless trip by Wells on Mason set up Casuals’ leveller.

From the free-kick, Fitzpatrick nodded down for Ewington to tuck home from an acute angle off the inside of the far post.

Sub Arnold then somehow missed a free header while Wells, booked for his foul, was involved in a fracas with the Casuals bench moments before Walton’s second goal in the 87th minute.

Martin, near the far corner flag, hooked the ball back into play instead of clearing, allowing Gogonas to beat Lowes to possession before bulldozing forward and drilling a stunning low drive past Murphy.

That strike looked to be the winner but Pearce showed courage to fly to his right and beat away Purrington’s stoppage-time effort.

However, Dorchester were given a huge slice of luck when Martin’s speculative 35-yard effort was wickedly diverted past Pearce by a distraught Jay Gasson in the 95th minute.

There was still time for Lolos to supply Strugnell at the back post, the centre-back stretching to nod well over as Dorchester’s league record worsened to one win in 10 games.

Magpies: Murphy, Wells, Sa, Martin, Rose, Strugnell, Clarke (Arnold 66), B Lowes, Lolos, Davis, Purrington. Subs not used: Peck, Wright, Torniainen, Hutchings.

Walton Casuals: Tokarczyk, Pearce, Mason, Fox, Gasson, Atkinson, Fitzpatrick, Gogonas, Howe, Ewington (Grant 90+8), Gordon. Subs not used: Webb, Shepherd, Burnham

Referee: Robert Cockle (Bristol)

Attendance: 338

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil