DORCHESTER Town boss Glenn Howes counted the cost of missed chances as the Magpies lost 2-1 to Wimborne Town at the Avenue Stadium.

In their penultimate pre-season friendly, Dorchester opened the scoring when Jordan Ngalo’s delightful shot from the edge of the box nestled into the top corner.

However, lower-league Wimborne hit back with a goal in each half through Harry Baker and Jack Lovell as Dorchester paid the price for missing a hatful of opportunities.

While Howes feels there is still time to iron such mistakes out before the league begins in two weeks, he also raised concerns about his side’s fitness.

Speaking to Echosport, he said: “We created some really good chances in the first half.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-2 Wimborne Town - report

“These are not half chances, they’re chances that we need to be putting away. Even in the second half, we’ve created two or three very good chances.

“We all know that if you’re not going to take your chances then you’re not going to win a game of football.

“But I thought we were reasonable value in the first half and getting closer to where we want to be.

“There does seem to be a physical barrier after 60, 70 minutes. We’re not quite able to push on and maintain the intensities we want to.

“Ultimately that’s let Wimborne back in the game and they were very bright in the second half.”

While Dorchester tired late in the match, the Magpies experienced early joy with their pressing game and retrieval of possession causing Wimborne endless problems.

“It’s frustrating because you want to find that clinical edge and that ruthlessness,” Howes said.

“Particularly when you work really hard. Maintaining that press, that intensity and the effort to do it, it’s very arduous but we’re asking it from the team.

“Ultimately, more times they got that right than wrong. We didn’t quite get the rewards we should’ve done.

“Again, that’s what pre-season’s for. It’s about sharpening ourselves up in front of goal and not just the physical elements.”

Dorchester host National League side Eastleigh tomorrow evening (7.45pm).