DORCHESTER Town boss Leigh Robinson felt Salisbury’s deadly finishing was the “big difference” as the Whites won 5-0 at the Clayson Stadium.

On the whole, the scoreline was slightly misleading but a sub-plot within the defeat was Dorchester’s inability to create a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

Dorchester’s improved defence had triggered sustained attacking momentum after Toby Holmes 11th-minute opener.

However, a set-piece routine undid the Magpies’ good work as Ollie Knowles blasted home from 25 yards before Warren Bentley lethally finished a one-on-one chance – his only sight of goal in the game.

Dominic Jefferies and sub Daniel Fitchett added late gloss for Salisbury as Dorchester conceded five goals for a fifth time this season.

Dorchester remain bottom, 11 points adrift of safety after Hartley Wintney and Hendon won, while Yate drew 1-1 with Poole.

Robinson told Echosport: “It would’ve been better to have been battered for 90 minutes and lost 1-0, because the perception looks better.

“That wasn’t the case. Our aim was to stay in the game until 60, 65 minutes and then go for it – that’s exactly what we did. That almost worked.

“I feel that 5-0 is a harsh scoreline on the balance of play, because we were well in the game. They weren’t creating a lot of chances.”

He added: “At the start of the second half, the first 15 minutes we were pretty good and you could feel we were getting on top and the momentum was changing.

“But then the second goal goes in – a bit of quality – and from there on in we’ve got to chase the game.

“They had a lot of quality going forward and they picked us off as we left gaps.

“You often see that in football – 5-0 looks an absolute thrashing but in reality the second goal was the clincher.

“Goals three, four and five hurt you because at 2-0 you’ve got to gamble and go for it.

“For me, the big difference in the game was the quality in the final third.

“Salisbury were absolutely clinical and we didn’t quite have that.

“I’m confident that as the weeks go on, now we’ve improved the personnel, we’ll improve as the weeks go on.”