GLENN Howes insisted the Magpies’ shock 2-0 loss to former bottom side Slimbridge was not in keeping with the identity they had carved out for themselves this season.
Goals from Luke Bence and Casey Collins ensured Dorchester’s scintillating run of 10 league wins came to a tempestuous halt amid the backdrop of Storm Boelo.
Slimbridge goalkeeper Callum Godfrey made three outstanding saves to preserve the Swans’ advantage, while Dorchester saw strong appeals for a penalty waved away shortly before Collins added a second goal.
However, Howes’ annoyance at the performance was not limited to wastefulness in front of goal as he listed a number of shortcomings in the Magpies’ display.
He told the Echo: “Although I sit here and say we created eight or nine good chances, the overall performance wasn’t good enough. It’s not a Dorchester Town performance by any shape or form.
“So, I need to take a good look at that between now and (Tiverton), starting with the line-up and the information given, the detail they’ve had.
“There will be upsets up and down the country. You look at the conditions, which is the same for both teams, but we had too many loose passes, we weren’t fluid enough in possession.
“Then, out of possession, I felt they wanted to win the game more – which does upset me. We have to look at how we motivate the boys and understand what’s at stake.”
Asked if complacency was at play given the clubs’ divergent fortunes this season, Howes replied: “It’s a dangerous animal, complacency. Overconfidence, human nature.
“It’s not going to be the last upset that’s going to happen in football. The less you do it, the more successful you are.
“The stronger-willed you are, the stronger mindset you have, the more focused you are, the less that happens.
“It’s no coincidence that all the best sides that win things have that.
“Never, ever, underestimate anybody whether it’s a cup game or you’re playing lower-league opposition or whether it’s a team who are bottom of the table.
“We have to be prepared for that. I felt we were, I felt we’d done that to a large degree this season, but not (Saturday).”
A potential turning point in the game came when Jayden Nielsen was denied a penalty three minutes before Collins made it 2-0.
“We’re clutching,” Howes admitted. “I could sit here and moan about the penalty, because it was a penalty, but we’ve got to do better.
“I’m not going to sit here and say we haven’t won a game because we haven’t won a penalty.”
Dorchester travel to Tiverton on Tuesday (7.45pm) and Howes challenged his team to build another long sequence of positive results.
“You have to go on another run now,” he said. “You can’t go backwards, you have to pull forwards.
“We will do that, I’ve got great belief and confidence that we can go on another run of that magnitude. It’s up to us to bounce back.”
He added: “Tivvy we obviously played them at home, they’re a very good side. We know they’re probably in a bit of a false position.
“But it’s no point in looking at the league table, it means absolutely nothing. I thought they were really good when we played them here.
“We’re expecting another hard game. The conditions will be challenging and it’s one we need to prepare for.
“I’d rather get back on the horse nice and early than have two training sessions, that’s for sure.”
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