DORCHESTER boss Mark Morris thanked the Avenue Stadium crowd for going easy on his shell-shocked side after the debacle of a 7-0 home drubbing by promotion-contenders Grays Athletic.

"It would have been really easy for the fans to have given us some stick after a result like that," said Morris.

"But I thought they stood by the boys and at least gave them the benefit of the doubt because we have been doing alright lately.

"You just have to try and forget games like that and I think everyone's decision was that it was a one-off and hopefully we can come back firing on all cylinders against Hayes on Tuesday."

The Magpies underwent a gruelling examination when they faced an end-to-end gale and horizontal rain in the first half and never had a prayer after finding themselves five goals behind at the interval.

"The conditions were tough but when it is like that you have to be resolute - and we were far from it," said Morris.

"I thought Gary Middleton had a decent game and deserved his man-of-the-match award and Alex Browne tried his socks off as usual. But as for the other nine they were so far off what we know they can achieve that I just couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"It's no good trying to hide it, some of our defending and decision making was terrible. We were lacklustre and gave the ball away in vital areas and our midfield was non-existent. Teams normally find it difficult to play against us with men like Mark Jermyn, Mark Robinson and Jamie Brown in there, but today I can hardly remember us getting a decent tackle in.

"The two boys up front had a limited amount of decent ball to survive on, but when they did get it their two centre halfs were more than a match for them. We have to be realistic and remember that Grays are a full-time outfit who train every day with lots of ex-League footballers and on that alone you are going to be up against it.

"But you can't afford to give any team four gift goals like we did in the first half today and expect to get away with it."

Morris said he had sympathy for new loan signing Diogo Andrade who

started on the subs' bench and came on after the break when the game was effectively over.

"It was a shame for the lad because he hasn't done anything wrong and the circumstances weren't the best for his debut," said Morris. "But I am sure he will be a useful addition to the squad."

Whatever the outcome of his Wrexham trial, Morris said he did not expect Juan Ugarte to be returning in time for tomorrow's home game against Hayes because international clearance will again be required after his stint in Wales.

* The Magpies will now visit Eastbourne Borough next Saturday because their original opponents Hornchurch are still involved in the FA Cup.