ED BASTICK has said that every Dorchester player left everything they could on the pitch after the side lost 1-0 to Hereford in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division at the weekend.

A goal from Lance Smith in the 61st minute saw the Magpies lose to a side that are challenging for the title, being two places off the top spot with four games in hand over the leaders Kettering Town.

Bastick said: "It was a tough game against a very good side.

"It was disappointing for us we felt that we probably deserved something from the game.

We can't really fault our performance I felt that every player left everything they could on the pitch it was just one of those things, a moment of quality a good ball in that sealed it for them."

Bastick added: "I don't think we can be too disheartened because if we are looking to eventually get into that promotion race we are going to have to stand up against teams like that and put in a good performance."

"It is obviously gutting to come off with a loss because no one likes losing."

Dorchester lost their previous match away against Slough 2-0 and Bastick felt the Magpies' performance was not good enough.

Bastick said: "We played Slough in the week away from home and we just were not at the races and when you lose the game we did not play well and you do go off the pitch thinking that was not good enough and the manager let us know.

"With Hereford though when you go out there and you know you have played well the fans react to that as well. You could tell they were cheering us and clapping us which we all do appreciate so it does make it a little bit easier.

Bastick came on at half-time against Hereford as Dorchester boss Steve Thompson took off Tom Blair and David Jerrard for Bastick and Cameron Ebbutt

Bastick explained: "I was chomping at the bit to get on so I felt we came on and got in their faces a bit, got in behind them a bit more and stretched the play.

"Personally using my pace, getting behind Hereford was the main reason for coming on.

"I think the second half we did threaten a bit more."

Bastick felt like a draw between the two sides would have been a fair reflection of the game.

Bastick said: "On another day I think we could have easily gone one or two nil up and suddenly you have got something to defend so it could have easily been a different outcome but equally they hit the post a couple of times.

"I personally would say a draw would have been a fair outcome."

Looking forward Bastick hopes he can cement a place in the starting 11.

Bastick said: "I was happy to get on and hopefully I want to get myself back in the starting 11 because I have felt like I have been a bit unfortunate in recent weeks, I had a little niggle at King's Lynn and then we changed the formation which didn't really suit my style of play, so we have gone back to the 4-3-3 which suits me a bit more.

"I understand the reasons for not being in it, it is one of those things and just get on with it, I don't like to sulk."

Dorchester are next in action when they face Gosport Borough in the league on Saturday (3pm).