FROME Town slipped to defeat in their first outing of 2016 as they were comfortably bested by Dorchester Town on Wednesday night.

The first goal was always going to be important in this match and after Frome had missed a couple of chances in the first half, the visitors scored just before half-time and from that moment on, were well worth their victory.

Nick Bunyard's side showed just two changes from the side that had performed so well against Poole Town on Boxing Day, with Jordy Nkunga back to play alongside Marcus Mapstone in the centre of defence, and with captain Sam Teale unavailable, eventual man of the match Connor Roberts started at left-back.

Dorchester shot over the bar in the sixth minute and then a great through ball from Frome’s Jon Davies very nearly set Darren Jefferies clear, but the first clear cut chance of the match fell to Frome in the 18th minute as a cross from Jefferies found Rob Hobbs in the box and Dorchester’s Alan Walker-Harris did well to save with his feet before a defender hacked clear.

Roberts ripped in a right foot shot that was just deflected past the far post and with Davies always causing the visiting defence problems, Frome were probably just shading the match until the inevitable sucker punch saw Dorchester take the lead in the 40th minute.

There seemed to be no real danger as Mapstone broke up an attack but the ball broke to Ben Watson, who fed Oakley Hanger on the right and a crisp, low shot from the edge of the box seemed to deceive Darren Chitty before nestling in the far corner.

Despite both Davies and Mitchell Page going close with curled shots just before the break, the second half started as it was going to carry on, with Dorchester having the better of possession and territory, leaving Frome chasing the game.

The Magpies hit the base of the post with a free kick in the 55th minute and Frome had a promising attack end with a Hobbs shot being charged down, but as Frome committed more and more players to the search for the equaliser, Dorchester always looked comfortable defending their lead.

The visitors made it 2-0 in the 67th minute as a Robins corner led to a break on the left and substitute Jonah Ayunga showed great pace and control to run fully 60 yards before slotting the ball past Chitty.

Ricky Hulbert managed to get his head to a Davies free kick in the 70th minute but on the whole, the delivery from dead ball situations was always lacking something and the Dorchester defence was rarely in any danger of conceding.

Frome were caught cold again in the 77th minute as once again, they committed most of the side to a corner and again a swift break found them horribly exposed, with substitute Liam Saters making a good run before delightfully chipping the ball over Chitty.