A LATE goal sent Dorkinians to their first league defeat of the season on Saturday.

An absorbing contest at Pixham Lane could have swung either way, but eventually went the way of the visitors.

As the first half progressed, Dorkinians' solid defence withstood Shene's early sorties and as they countered with a lively response their efforts met with similar reaction from the visitors.

With no clear cut chances being created by either side, the half ended in stalemate.

The second half advanced with Dorkinians gradually asserting more control. They were then unlucky not to have taken the lead through fine efforts from Toby Allenoski, Matt Morley and Connor Mottram, who all found the visitors' keeper in outstanding form.

Those misses proved costly as 14 minutes from the end, against the run of play, a breakaway goal sealed the result for Shene.

Dorkinians thought they had claimed a share of the points when a fine move between Lee Andrew Jepson, Mottram and Tom Neville ended with substitute Chris Thurgood rounding the keeper and guiding the ball into the unguarded net, but a late offside flag was raised to deprive them of a point.