DORCHESTER Town boss Leigh Robinson has defended his decision to bench star striker Tom Bath.

Bath was a used substitute in the Magpies’ opening two games of the new season despite scoring 20 goals in 38 appearances last term.

Plymouth loanee Rubin Wilson was preferred up top and the Pilgrims’ forward netted against Weston in Dorchester’s opening-day 3-1 loss.

Speaking to Echosport, Robinson highlighted struggles with ball retention in advanced areas as reason to experiment with his striking options.

He said: “Whether we play two up top, one in the hole and one up top, three up top – it doesn’t matter who – we’ve got a real problem with the ball sticking.

“In terms of (Tuesday) knowing how Christchurch played, we thought it would be better – certainly for the first half to take the sting out of them – to play an extra man in midfield.

“It’s something we’re trying to work out. However we do the front part of the team in terms of formation, we still can’t sustain pressure. We’re trying to find a way forward.

“Tom had to miss training last Thursday before the Weston game due to work stuff – we felt we couldn’t start him on Saturday.

“Realistically, on Saturday it wasn’t the shape that was the problem. It was individual mistakes that we made.

“We’re still trying to find a way, but the message is that however we play the front personnel we’ve got a real problem in sustaining pressure and we’re still trying to work out a way around that.”