DORCHESTER can use the disappointment of their FA Cup exit at the hands of Cirencester on Tuesday as motivation for a successful league campaign, according to Alan Walker-Harris.

The Magpies’ 3-1 defeat at the Corinium Stadium saw their chances of a trip to Petersfield in the next round and hopes of a money-spinning run in this season’s competition go up in smoke.

But county town keeper Walker-Harris feels his team are playing well enough not to let the loss affect them going forward.

“Like any defeat, it has got to hurt you, and you need to feel it,” he said. “It has got to get under your skin a bit but you can use it as motivation.

“We can’t let it get to us too much because we haven’t had a bad start to the season.

“We are doing well, and it’s probably the first time in my time at the club that we are doing better at home than away.

“We’ve got to use the cup defeat as motivation and move on, and just try and keep up our good form in the league.”

Walker-Harris is yet to concede a league goal at the Avenue this season and will put that record on the line when Saturday’s opponents Stratford come to town.

On those home shut-outs, he added: “You’re got to be delighted with that.

“I take pride in clean sheets and I want to keep as many as possible.

“It gives the team heart because if you don’t concede goals then you’re not going to lose games.

“We are defending well at home and that gives us a good platform to work from.”