Exmouth Town ended pre-season in defeat, losing 2-0 to a strong Dorchester Town team at the Avenue Stadium.

Two goals from Joe Parker saw the Magpies earn a deserved victory, although the visitors leave with plenty of positives.

It was the hosts who started the first half stronger, although they were unable to turn a lot of their possession into chances, thanks to a well-drilled Exmouth defence.

Aaron Dearing was forced into his first save after Tom Smith was played through on goal, with the goalkeeper getting a strong right foot to it.

Ollie Haste was next to test the Town resolve with three straight headers from corners, the first being blocked, the second being saved and the third off target.

Town were unable to get anything going in attack, with an unanswered Ben Steer cross being the closest they came to an opener.

Parker would get his first of the afternoon as he drifted into space in the box, before rifling the ball into the bottom corner.

The striker was excellent throughout, and was rewarded with a second goal as he was allowed too much space in the box, and he duly punished Town for that.

Harvey Wright came close to finding a third for the Magpies, as he was left unmarked from a corner, but put his header off target.

Dearing made an important double stop, denying both Matt Buse and Smith from close range.

As the game went on, Exmouth started to grow into proceedings, with Luke Steer having two efforts from the edge of the box both going over the bar.

It was a tough test for Town, who will look to take those lessons into their Southern League Division One South opener against away at Swindon Supermarine next Saturday. 

Line-Up: Dearing, Belsten, Cann, Shore, Morcom, Slater (McCue, 53), Shipton, Kennell (Keates, 64), Butcher (L.Steer, 46), Griffith (Denny, 71), B.Steer (Hawkins, 64).