DORCHESTER should be winning games like last night’s 1-1 draw with Merthyr if they want to make this season a real success.

That was the view of Magpies’ assistant manager Nick Crittenden after his side missed out on a chance to secure another three points in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

Dorchester are now in a play-off position but will feel they should have beaten the Welsh outfit, who played for the final 25 minutes with 10 men.

“I thought we did alright in the first half,” said Crittenden.

“We didn’t really get out of first gear but the game was still there to be won, even when we went a goal down.

“We got the penalty back and there was only one winner after that but we didn’t really click.

“We are disappointed with a point and maybe in hindsight we could have gone for it a little bit more.

“With the way the club is, we are disappointed to get a point at home, whereas last season everyone would have taken a point.

“If we want to achieve something this year then these are the games we want to be winning.

“You look at the games against Dunstable and Frome as well and that’s six points lost.”

Crittenden felt referee Ben Cobb was right to dismiss Merthyr striker Ryan Prosser for an elbow on Tony Lee.

But he admitted Magpies’ left-back Neil Martin was lucky not to see red in the first half for a reckless challenge on Adam Davies.

Captain Jake Smeeton missed the clash with a broken hand sustained against Poole and could be out of Dorchester’s next two fixtures as well.

Dorchester were also without Bradley Tarbuck, Nathan Walker and Jonah Ayunga last night.