DORCHESTER Town boss Glenn Howes admitted the Magpies “struggled to adapt” to Chesham’s second-half performance in their 3-1 defeat at the Avenue Stadium.

Going into the game, the sides were placed sixth and third respectively in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South table.

And they went toe-to-toe in an entertaining first half, Charlie Gunson hitting the post for Dorchester and Zak Joseph proving a tricky customer for Chesham.

However, Alfie Stanley’s wonderful 25-yard curler gave the Magpies the advantage at the break.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-3 Chesham United - match report

Chesham responded through Tobias Braney’s excellent finish from a tight angle, before Jordan Edwards’ shot on the turn made it 2-1.

And Edwards made sure of the points for the Generals by converting a penalty midway through the second half.

Chesham remain third but Dorchester are now eighth in an increasingly congested midfield.

Speaking to Dorchester’s media team, Howes said: “I thought they were a good Chesham side.

“They turned the dial in the second half and we struggled to adapt to it. I thought we were very good value in the first half and we perhaps could’ve done a bit more in the second half.

“Saying that, I thought Chesham were very, very good.”

Reflecting on Stanley’s goal, Howes added: “I felt we counter-pressed really well in the first half and that’s what’s kept us in that position in the final third.

“We put them under an awful lot of pressure when the ball turned over.

“Alf, as we know, is very good at coming off that left-hand side with his right foot.

“He’s been frustrated because he probably hasn’t got the minutes like three or four others in the squad.

“We’ve been on a reasonable run, the players have been doing well and it’s been difficult to change certain positions.

“He’s had a good blow, a good run-out and he’ll always look a threat in the final third.

“It’s pleasing for the lad and he enjoyed that moment. It’s just a shame that we haven’t got anything from the game.”

Dorchester host Sherborne Town in the Dorset Senior Cup quarter-finals tomorrow (7.45pm).