MARK Jermyn was adamant that his side did not deserve their 1-0 defeat to Kettering Town as Dorchester slipped closer to the relegation zone.

A 73rd minute winner from Rene Howe succumbed the Magpies to their second loss in four days.

Speaking about the game, the player-manager told Echosport: “We probably edged it on chances and I felt, at times, we opened them up.

“The boys should not have lost, they really should not have.

“I feel for the players. But, we should have done better and got a result.”

The best chance to score for the visitors came from the spot but, the ever-dependable Jake Smeeton crashed his effort against the bar.

The manager felt that was the turning point in the game but, didn’t want to single his captain out.

He added: “We had a a great opportunity to go one up and unfortunately Jake hit the bar this time.

“Jake has been outstanding for me and the onus isn’t on him.

“If we had gone 1-0 up then we would have won the game.

“The miss spurred them on and they chucked on three subs to break us down. They didn’t do that, it was just from a corner.”

There is not much time for the county town side to reflect on the loss as they are back in action on Tuuesday at home to basement side Cinderford Town (7.45pm).