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Borough were forced to make several changes from the team that took the field last week. Peter Morrell’s knee injury has ruled him out for several weeks, Ben Thompson was on holiday and Winston Buckfield and Tony Whitfield had work commitments. Jimmy Rushen and Ryan Malone started a match for the first time and new signing Lee Russell also made his debut in defence.

Borough started brightly enough in the wet and blustery conditions and had the first chance after 2 minutes when Scott Smith shot across goal. Lee Russell had his first touch of the ball and was immediately felled by a challenge, which needed lengthy treatment. The Dorchester keeper fumbled a couple of long shots and looked unsure in his handling of the greasy ball.

The game took a dramatic turn when, in the15th minute, a quick Dorchester break found McAllister on his own with the goal at his mercy. However his shot lacked pace and Borough keeper John Brown made a spectacular save when he ran back and hooked the ball out via a post. McAllister thought that the ball had crossed the line and was dismissed by the referee for his strongly worded protestations.

This seemed to spur Dorchester on and they took the lead on 28 minutes when Conroy hooked the ball over Brown. Borough were looking a bit disjointed and Conroy took advantage of a mix-up between Lee Russell and John Brown to plant the ball into the empty net to put Dorchester further ahead. The rest of the half was a stalemate with Borough creating chances but never testing the Dorchester keeper and Dorchester always looking dangerous on the break.

HT - 0-2

At the start of the second half Borough immediately attacked and Paul Arnold was unlucky to see his shot hit the post and roll along the line before being cleared. If that had gone in maybe it would have been a different story, but for the rest of the second half it was mainly Borough attacking and having numerous shots and headers but without forcing the Dorchester keeper to make a save.

Ron Denty was booked on 75 minutes for a charge on the keeper and five minutes later Holdroyd was unlucky when his close-range volley from a corner was driven straight into the keeper’s arms. Denty headed over from another corner but time was running out for Borough.

At the final whistle the Dorchester players celebrated an unexpected win, especially as they had played with ten men for most of the game. Borough will point to the absence of several key players as a factor in the game, but their inability to convert chances has resulted in the loss of more home points.

Poole Borough : John Brown, Ryan Malone (Price 65) , Lee Russell, Paul Arnold, Ron Denty, David Holdroyd, Jimmy Rushen, James Russell, Scott Smith, Alan Fooks, John Bancroft (Ben Holman 62) . Unused Sub: Graham.