DORCHESTER Town boss Tom Killick was torn between praise and criticism after the Magpies lost 3-2 at Pitching In Southern League Premier South leaders Salisbury.

Will Fletcher put the Dorset club ahead on his maiden start as Dorchester dominated the first half, but Salisbury came roaring back in the second.

Sido Jombati, former Magpies midfielder Charlie Gunson and Josh Hedges put the Whites 3-1 up before Shaq Gwengwe’s fourth goal in three games provided Dorchester with a consolation.

Given Dorchester had Salisbury worried in the first half, Killick saw positives and negatives with how the game panned out.

He told Echosport: “I’m so proud. I’m really enjoying what the players are putting into the games, the spirit and togetherness they’re showing.

READ MORE: Salisbury 3-2 Dorchester Town - report

“There’s a real desire I can see that they want to do well. There’s so much to be positive about but unfortunately, the performances are there but we’re not getting results.

“It’s the classic that people will just look at the results and think that we’re struggling.

“We are from a results point of view but we’ve got to start trying to find a way of turning performances into results.

“We’re just falling the wrong side of it at the moment. That little bit is always the hardest to find, it’s the bit that gets you on the right side of the closely-fought games.

“I almost feel that the successful sides have that ability when games are in the balance to get themselves somehow into a winning position, whereas we haven’t quite got that.

“I’ve got every belief in the players and I’m just really grateful to them for what we’re doing.

“If we do stick together, carry on improving and make one or two additions, the results will come for us.”

Asked how difficult it is to address the players when their performances have not translated into a result, Killick said: “It’s hard because sometimes the things that make the difference are hard to put your finger on.

“It’s just sometimes as a group, you’ve got to find a way in those moments. You’ve got to rally together.

“The bit I was disappointed about was that we were doing so well and we’ve conceded a goal to make it 1-1 and we’re still 1-1 to the leaders away from home.

“There’s everything to play for but I felt we looked a little bit deflated at that point. That’s where you have to gather yourselves back together and come out with something.

“We didn’t respond quickly enough but I’m enjoying the players. I’ve got a lot of respect for them and I’m starting to have a real affection for them.

“We have to harness the good things and try and be that little bit better.”