SCOTT Walker has issued an apology for his side’s abject display in last Saturday’s shock FA Trophy exit.

The disappointed skipper feels the Terras let down their manager and the club’s supporters in the 2-1 defeat to Shortwood United and must work harder to make amends.

Walker, whose side entertain Hamworthy Recreation this evening in the Dorset Senior Cup (7.45pm), told Echosport: “First of all we owe a huge apology to the fans. They paid good money at the weekend to come and watch us get through to the next round but we under-performed.

“There was no excuse for it and it was completely down to the players.

“Once we get out on the pitch it is down to us but instead of executing the game plan we let ourselves down and Brendon King down.

“It was certainly no reflection on him and as players we have to take full responsibility.

“We also need to pull together now and make sure we respond in the right way both tonight and more importantly this coming Saturday at home to Stourbridge in the league.”

Analysing the Trophy loss in more depth, Walker went on to add: “In the first half we were on top of things and probably should have gone on to score a couple more.

“However, we never really got out of second gear and didn’t give them the respect they deserved, and that is the reason why we got caught.

“When you look at the two goals we conceded they were very poor. They both came from deep crosses and we should be dealing with those.

“What we cannot do now though is feel sorry for ourselves. Instead we need to get together as a unit and start cutting out these silly mistakes that keep causing us to concede goals.

“We are all accountable for that and there is no doubt that we have definitely under achieved thus far.

“Having said that though, just because new players come in, it doesn’t always mean it is going to click straight away.

“We have got some good quality in the squad but sometimes you need that extra mix to make it work and we need to find that.

“Sometimes at this level you have to play teams at their own game by putting the ball in the right areas, being physical and staying solid as a unit.

“It doesn’t always look pretty but it is something we need to get right if we are going to become more consistent.”

Meanwhile, Scott Dixon is expected to be part of the squad this evening despite speculation over the weekend suggesting he was ready to leave the club due to a lack of opportunities in recent weeks.

King said: “I had a conversation with Scott on Saturday and told him he is playing tonight, and since then he hasn’t contacted me to say any different.

“We will be putting a strong side out and I will obviously be looking for a massive improvement.”

Lewis Clarke misses out tonight through suspension while Matt Morley has been called up from the reserves. Ashley Wells could also feature.

Terras (from): Evans, Povall, Perry, Poole, Palmer, Critchell, McConnell, Dixon, Wells, Clay, Reed, Duff, Walker, Smith, Morley, Groves, Joyce, Ford.