DORCHESTER Town assistant-manager Trevor Senior insists recalled Bristol Rovers striker Cameron Allen “didn’t do badly” during his time at the Clayson Stadium.

Allen, 18, made six appearances for the Magpies in his one-month loan spell and failed to score, the powerful forward apparently struggling for service within boss Steve Thompson’s preferred 4-3-3 system.

Senior, a former Reading marksman who netted 153 goals in two stints with the Royals, has sympathy for Allen, who undertook the lone striker role at Dorchester.

He told Echosport: “(Allen) didn’t do badly, he had things to offer the team that Ash (Pope) hasn’t and I think Ash has got things to offer the team that Cam didn’t.

“The way Steve likes to play with a three, a lone striker – it’s a hard role. It would be hard for a lot of players.

“In their defence I guess you could say they haven’t had much of a chance to play alongside someone.

“The system Steve plays has worked, especially towards the tail end of last season, although he changed it at half-time (against Wimborne) so that gives us something else to think about with the two up front.”

Dorchester’s management is continuing to look at striking options, a dilemma heightened by Pope’s expected two-week absence with a medial knee ligament injury.

He said: “It’s been that way since the beginning of last season. No disrespect, it’s been square pegs in round holes at times.

“It frustrates me, obviously being a striker as well because there are runs that come second nature to you, winning flick-ons, holding the ball up and laying it off.

“It is what it is at the moment, it’s unfortunate for Ash. (Alex) Stafie tends to be one that can come on and put a good effort in for a short period of time, obviously he wants to be more involved. Tom (Blair) will give his all, but sometimes it doesn’t come natural to him.

“It is a problem. Steve’s been looking at it all season and we’re still on the lookout but we’ve just got to go with what we’ve got at the moment.”