DORCHESTER Town boss Craig Laird says the club must be

“patient” as the Magpies prepare to face Basingstoke Town at the Avenue Stadium in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier tonight (7.45pm).

Laird’s men were soundly beaten 5-1 at Banbury United in their opening fixture on Saturday, but the Dorchester manager is confident that more playing time will improve his inexperienced defence.

He told Echosport: “I thought the centre-backs (Jordan Storey and Ross Carmichael) had a tough match against two good strikers.

“This is their first season at this level but the more games they play the better they will get. They are young boys and they will learn.

“We have to try and develop them and give them the opportunity to get better. We have to be

patient. We gave the ball away in crucial areas at crucial times, which didn’t help them.”

And Laird is grateful for the chance for his side to put the Banbury defeat behind them against Basingstoke, just two days prior to their second game.

He said: “It’s great to have that game so quickly. Hopefully the players can react.”