DORCHESTER Town temporary boss Jody Rivers claimed his players had “given me everything” after a 2-2 draw with Blackfield & Langley at the Clayson Stadium.

Two goals in seven minutes from Billy Lowes and Tom Blair put Dorchester into a comfortable 2-0 lead until a mistake from captain Franklyn Clarke allowed Hashim Kasimu to scuff home for 2-1.

Both sides finished with 10 men as mercurial winger Blair and Watersiders’ skipper Harry Medway clashed on the edge of the visitors’ box and were shown red by referee Niall Clinton.

Tom Bath crashed a header against the bar and seconds later another error at the back gifted Blackfield their second as Kasimu swept home a simple chance in the 66th minute.

Kyle Egan then had to be alert to produce a goalline clearance in the 96th minute as Blackfield pushed for a winner.

Speaking to Echosport, Rivers said: “We’re entertaining, if nothing else, so you get your value for money here.

“From the outside looking in, Dorchester have thrown away a two-goal lead, and I’m devastated about that because at 2-0 we had them on the racks and we were playing well.

“For whatever reason we stopped doing what had got us into that good position. I took them in at half-time and brought Klaidi (Lolos) on for Wrighty (Sean Wright), who was struggling with illness.

“I didn’t want to put a midfielder on, I felt we could score more goals, and we created chance after chance, we’ve hit crossbars, missed from two yards and stuff like that.

“I’ve gone (into the dressing room) and said ‘I’ve led them for four games and over those eight periods, for seven and a half they’ve given me everything.”

Rivers added: “There might be some people out there who think it’s two points dropped, and it is.

“But, when you see the attitude and application that I’ve had for the last three weeks, I can’t fault them.”

On the Magpies’ defensive blunders, Rivers said: “I’ve asked them to play a different style in these last four games and anyone that’s watched them we’ve played on the front foot, been positive and looked to pass the ball more.

“When you ask people to be brave, do something different, you have to accept that mistakes will be made.

“I can forgive mistakes, what I can’t forgive is lack of desire, passion, heart and enthusiasm.”