SKIPPER Chris Park has urged Dorset’s fragile top order to “step up” following the disappointing 59-run reverse against Devon.

The away side put in a spirited show to restrict the hosts to just 215 in their Unicorns Knockout Trophy opener at North Devon Cricket Club but gave themselves a mountain to climb after slumping to 22-4 in reply.

And, having eventually been skittled out for 156, Park admitted he was left frustrated by his team's display with the bat.

“To restrict Devon to 215 we were really pleased with, the pitch and the conditions were favouring the batting side,” he told Echosport.

“But in another Dorset batting collapse, we had our backs against the wall.

“It follows us and it’s kind of a tag, it’s an attitude we need to get rid of really. The top order seem to collapse and it snowballs then.”

Out of the top six, only Luke Webb (60) and Michael Porter (32) totalled more than five runs individually for Park’s side.

The captain added: “We are aware of the problems and we are trying to put it right but there is no quick fix really.

“What we are trying to do is ask the top five or six to step up and be the match-winner.

“It’s so frustrating because they are not young batsmen anymore, most of them are senior players.

“They are all aware of it and sometimes talk is a little bit cheap.

“You can talk to the cows come home about what you are going to do and how you are going to approach it, but it’s about actually getting out there, facing up, and being the person to get us over the line.”