DORCHESTER Town know they need to be tougher to break down and more consistent from now on if they want to secure a play-off place come the end of the season.

The Magpies have conceded too many goals away from home this term and been “too up and down” to really threaten the top five so far this term according to first-team coach Stuart Heath.

Heath will be hoping Dorchester get their 2016 up and running in style this evening when they travel to Frome Town (7.45pm) as the Avenue outfit look to kick-start their promotion push.

While he feels the team go into the new year handily placed, Heath is aware they still have plenty of work to do.

“We’ve got a big January ahead and it’s important we get a positive result at Frome,” he said.

“We’ve put ourselves in a decent position but we’ve really got to look to kick-on now.

“We need the players to reflect on the first half of the season, which was okay, but there is still progress to be made.

“There are certainly areas we can improve on, our game management being one of them.

“We also need to be tougher to break down if we have designs on being a top-five side. We have conceded too many goals away from home while maintaining our attacking threat.

“We’ve gone through periods where our attacking players have gone off the boil so it’s important we really gain some consistency in our performances and results.

“We know that we’ve been too up and down to be in the top five at the moment.

“We’ve got to put a good run together to try and creep up the table.

“There are always a few teams every season that come through in the second half of the season and we want to be one of those.”

Nick Bunyard’s Frome picked up an important point against Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division leaders Poole in their last match on Boxing Day.

“Frome will pose a real threat on their own pitch,” added Heath.