DORCHESTER Town boss Glenn Howes took responsibility for the huge sideline skirmish in his side’s 2-1 win over North Leigh.

With emotions running high in the 88th minute as Dorchester looked to close out victory, Howes admitted to kicking the ball away with North Leigh poised to take a set-piece.

However, Howes was then pushed to the ground with his back turned, sparking a brawl among most of the players and staff from both sides.

He was booked, along with North Leigh’s James Dobson, while Dorchester first-team coach Brian Churchill also received yellow for knocking the ball out of a North Leigh player’s hands.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 2-1 North Leigh - match report

Speaking to Dorchester’s media team, a candid Howes said: “What kicked it off was frustration on my part.

“Sometimes you’ve been away from the game and that competitive nature comes back into you.

“They’re not meaningful friendlies that we’ve been having – you haven’t got that competitive nature that you’ve got to win a game when three points are on the line.

“You’re tasked as a manager to contain that aggression, if you like, that willingness to win a game of football.

“I felt there was a few dubious challenges that didn’t go our way. The officials are rusty, like us.

“I thought invariably they controlled the game really well. Perhaps, on reflection, a yellow card is fair on myself. Kicking the ball away is not acceptable.

“Likewise, if a player kicks the ball away on the pitch it’s a yellow card. Then the (North Leigh) player decides to get involved.

“It’s hot out there, he’s frustrated but it’s done and dusted. It’s nice to have that aggression out there to go and win three points, which is what we want.”