BLANDFORD United manager Jamie Murray is keeping his feet firmly rooted to the ground, des-pite Royals claiming their first win of the season on Saturday.

The Dorset Premier League standings told a grim story before their clash with Bridport - just one point from 10 games.

But Simon Hyde breathed new life into Royals' floundering campaign, after his fourth-minute strike sealed victory.

Despite this result, United remain three points adrift of Cranborne at the bottom of the table. And while the rain of despair may no longer be falling on Park Road, Murray knows there is some way to go before the storm clouds lift.

He said: "One win certainly helps and I think they felt a bit better about things afterwards.

"Bridport play a lot of youngsters and I saw it as a game where we had a reasonable chance of pulling some points out of the bag. The boys were quite pleased afterwards but didn't go too over the top.

"There were plenty of comments about how much nicer it felt to be winning, although we realise we're still bottom.

"It's only three points and we're a long way behind other sides."

With his team taking such an early lead, Murray found himself in the unusual position of watching his side defend an advantage.

"Towards the end of the game, we weren't able to close it out because we aren't used to being in front," he added.

"This was a novel position for us and, hopefully, something we might get a taste for."

At the other end of the table, Poole Borough continued to revive their title hopes with a 2-1 victory at Cranborne.

John Bates netted after 23 minutes to give the Hornets the initiative at half-time.

Adam Beattie levelled for the Cranes on the hour mark but Gary Fooks smashed home a penalty to hand Borough their second win on the spin.

The Turlin Moor outfit are still chasing Westland Sports, who consolidated second place with a 2-1 victory at Cobham Sports.

Peter Goodbody put the home side in front just before the half-hour mark, but the Yeovil-based side's Oliver Wake needed just two minutes to restore parity.

Things then remained on a knife-edge, until Andrew Smith netted 11 minutes from time to seal the points.

Meanwhile, Portland United remain five clear at the top, after rolling Sturminster Newton United over 6-0 at New Grove Corner.

A Matt White hat-trick, combined with Lewis Whyton's brace and a penalty from Ross Doige, made for a thoroughly miserable day on the Island for Neil Coates's men.

Hamworthy Recreation also ensured their championship push remained healthy, after a 3-1 win over Hamworthy United at Magna Road.

Cris Rigler bagged two in two minutes just after the half hour to put Rec firmly in command.

Gary Williams pulled one back for Hammers on 75 but the afternoon belonged to Rigler, who completed his hat-trick five minutes later.

Elsewhere, Holt United's title aspirations suffered, after they slumped to a shock 1-1 draw at Sturminster Marshall.

A Kris Henshall own goal gave the hosts the edge but Ross Mills rescued a point for Lee Bradford's boys five minutes from the death.

And Swanage Town and Herston paid for an ineffective first-half display, after going down 3-2 at Wincanton Town.

Levi Nicholls put the league's newcomers in front on 30, before Steve Devlin doubled the score just before the interval.

Swans hit back hard and strikes from Lee James after 60 minutes and Ben Briscoe on 65 brought things level.

But the visitors suffered a late lapse and Devlin punished Swans and snatched the three points.