DORCHESTER Town lacked composure in key moments of their 2-0 FA Trophy third qualifying round loss at AFC Totton, according to new boss Glenn Howes.

Howes’ men started superbly, creating a catalogue of early chances as Kieran Roberts and Flavio Tavares both went close.

Tavares was later denied when one-on-one by Stags’ keeper Amadeusz Skrzyniarz and Totton edged ahead in first-half stoppage-time when Hisham Kasimu rounded keeper Harry Lee to score.

Totton, who dominated after the break, were forced to keep Dorchester at bay after failing to get a second and hit the Magpies late on when Ethan Taylor scored from 18 yards.

Victory handed Totton a place in the first round proper and £2,450 at the expense of their higher-league opponents.

For Howes, the defeat was not the homecoming he had hoped for having left the Stags five days previous.

READ MORE: AFC Totton 2-0 Dorchester Town - match report

He told Echosport: “I thought we started immensely well. We went on the front foot and went after the opposition.

“We played through several times, created several chances but unfortunately we couldn’t quite connect and lacked a little composure in key moments.

“Football’s a cruel game and their first opportunity was just before half-time on the counter. They take their chance very well.

“It changes your team-talk a little. That was disappointing, that we couldn’t be more pragmatic in those moments and see the game out in the first half.

“Second half we were a little deflated for a period of time, licking our wounds, but we found some endeavour and energy to get us back and cause problems.

“Again, a bit of brilliance from the young lad Ethan who can do that, check in on his left foot.

“It was a dagger in the heart for us. It was a little disappointing that the game faded out a bit. There’s plenty of work to do.”