WESTON moved into the play-off spots with an impressive win over mid-table Dorchester Town on Tuesday.

The Seagulls bounced back from last week’s home defeat to Salisbury City with a comfortable victory which moves them into fifth place in the Blue Square South table.

From the first minute Weston pressed from the outset, fresh after Saturday’s game at Basingstoke was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

They pushed the visitors back towards their own goal and could have scored twice in the opening quarter of an hour.

Kayne McLaggon should have broken the deadlock in the ninth minute but could only fire straight at Dorchester’s Jason McManus from six yards, with the goal gaping.

An off-balance Brett Trowbridge was narrowly off target minutes later as Weston continued to dominate the opening stages.

Despite their early pressure the visitors would have snatched a shock lead but for goalkeeper Lloyd Irish pulling off a fine point-blank save.

The Seagulls continued to press and took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Jamie Price was scythed down inside the box and Kane Ingram sent McManus the wrong way from the spot.

A 25-yard drive from Nabi Diallo flew just wide moments later but Weston doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

McLaggon beat McManus with a low drive but saw his effort rebound off the far post and Ingram was on hand to calmly fire into the empty net for his second of the evening.

The second half was a more even affair although McLaggon should have sealed the result but failed to stab home a loose ball inside the six-yard box.

Dorchester had a shout for a penalty waved away by referee Andy Hendley as the visitors finished the game brightly, forcing Irish to make two good saves in the closing stages.

Manager Craig Laird praised his side’s attacking intent in the first half and their resilience after the break.

He said: “I thought the first half we were unplayable at times and deservedly went in two up and maybe should have had more.

“The game should have been more comfortable though. We got ourselves into good positions and didn’t take our easy chances.

“If we had got a third then I think we would have gone on and got a few more.”

The victory moves Weston above Boreham Wood in the table but despite being a point clear of them, they have played two games more.

And Weston have now reached 53 points for the season – equalling the total they made last season with eight matches still to go.

Despite being reliant on rivals slipping up, Laird said he is happy to have the points on the board and force teams to play catch-up.

He said: “The team is buoyant and confident. But we have just got to focus on Saturday and keep picking up the three points.”

Weston will travel to Kent to take on relegation-threatened Tonbridge Angels on Saturday before a second away trip to Sutton United on Tuesday.