BOSS Mark Jermyn doesn’t expect his Dorchester Town players to dwell on this week’s FA Cup setback given the big tests they face over the next few weeks.

The Magpies will bid to put their midweek defeat to Cirencester well and truly behind them tomorrow when newly-promoted Stratford Town come to the Avenue (3pm) in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

And Jermyn, who is more than happy with the work ethic of his squad at present, believes that “game management” is going to be key as Dorchester get ready for a run of challenging fixtures.

“People are happy with the way we are playing, we just need to sustain that for longer periods in games,” he told Echosport.

“If we can stick to what we are doing over the course of the season then I think we will be okay.

“There is a good work ethic in the group and people are working hard for each other, but these things are not losing us games.

“Games are lost through game management, and it’s not just about what the manager and coaching staff do, it’s about how the players manage things on the pitch.

“Players will learn as they get older and become more experienced. As a group we are only going to get better, I firmly believe that.”

Striker Tony Lee, who sat out the two cup games against Cirencester, returns tomorrow, but defender Chris Dillon remains on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Dorchester are yet to concede a league goal at home this season and Jermyn is keen to see that continue after Tuesday’s disappointment.

On the cup exit, he added: “It’s frustrating because it means a lot to the players, supporters and the club financially. But I’m not going to dwell on it and I don’t expect the players to.

“There is no reason to be all doom and gloom because there is a lot of football to be played this season. We need to learn from the mistakes we made and put it right for Saturday.

“Coming off the pitch on Tuesday night, I think the players were eager to start looking at the next game and put that result behind us.”