DORCHESTER Town’s more experienced players failed to deliver at the Hornchurch Stadium on Saturday, according to Phil Simkin.

The Magpies went into the game full of confidence following four successive victories but ended up falling to a stunning strike from the impressive Lewis Smith.

Speaking to Echosport afterwards, boss Simkin said: “It was disappointing but we have been on a great run and we will come back stronger for it.

“I always knew it was going to be a difficult one and unfortunately our more senior players did not function on the day. When that happens we tend to struggle.”

Despite the single-goal defeat the Magpies remain second in Blue Square Bet South and Simkin has now turned his attention to Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round home clash against Wootton Bassett Town.

He added: “It was disappointing not to get a point but we must forget about that now and focus on this weekend instead, which is a must-win game for us.

“Unfortunately, Jamie Gleeson had to come off and is still struggling, and Mark Jermyn took quite a serious knock but hopefully they will be okay.
 

“All in all it was not a great afternoon but we have all been in this game long enough to deal with days like these and the aim now is to bounce straight back against Wootton Bassett this weekend.”