DORCHESTER Town manager Tom Killick felt the Magpies played with the “handbrake on” during their 2-1 defeat to Sholing on Tuesday.

Killick’s first home game since joining Dorchester as manager ended in disappointment on a soaking-wet night at the Avenue, courtesy of two Dan Mason headers from Charlie Davis corners.

Will Spetch scored in the first of seven added minutes but, despite a red card for Owen Roundell, the Magpies could not equalise as Paul Doswell’s reign began with victory.

However, Killick is not averse to change from outside if his incumbent squad cannot improve results with the Magpies now winless in four league games.

Killick told Dorchester’s media team: “It was a real damp squib of a performance, really. It almost aligned itself with the weather.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-2 Sholing - report

“We just never really got going, I thought we played within ourselves throughout thinking it might be enough to win us the game.

“It was only when we went 2-0 down that we showed any real positivity and desire to try and make something happen.

“In my view, it’s just so much a case of too little, too late. We’re at home and should be attacking the game.

“We were passive and played with the handbrake on. Whether the players felt comfortable at 0-0, that they could go up a gear and never did, I don’t know.”

Killick added he is continually learning about his inherited squad.

“When I first came here I was relying to quite a large extent on information I was being given by the management team here,” he said.

“I’ve got huge respect for that information but it’s got to be the case that I’ll find out for myself. There were quite a lot of alarm bells.

“It just wasn’t what I want to see in any team I’m responsible for. I made the players aware of that and it needs to be changed.

“If the players aren’t going to demonstrate what I’m looking for, then the players will have to change. That’s the reality.

“It’s got me thinking that there’s a lot of change that’s needed and I hope it can come from within the group still.

“But, if it can’t, then it can’t be hugely delayed in terms of making changes to personnel.

“At this stage of the season, sometimes that’s easier said than done. It’s a difficult scenario but I’m prepared to see if we can show a real reaction on Saturday.

“Perhaps the penny will drop in terms of the players realising that’s not acceptable and we can show much better levels because we’re going to need to.”

Dorchester host Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday (3pm).