DORCHESTER Town boss Glenn Howes felt the Magpies’ 3-0 defeat at Tiverton Town has let the club down after an “uncharacteristic performance”.

Dorchester were 2-0 down by half-time, having offered little in attack, after Louis Morison netted two penalties.

Alfie Stanley then had a spot-kick saved by Lewis Williams and Tiverton added a third moments later when Jamie Richards’ header was judged to have crossed the line.

Josh Jones saw red for Tivvy late on and Dorchester hit the bar through Shaq Gwengwe as a consolation eluded the Magpies, capping off a poor day.

READ MORE: Tiverton Town 3-0 Dorchester Town - match report

Despite the defeat, Dorchester are seventh ahead of a trip to bottom side North Leigh tomorrow (7.45pm).

Speaking to Echosport, Howes said: “I just felt it was a really uncharacteristic performance from us.

“There’s not been too many occasions where I’ve questioned our desire and work ethic, and the other side of the game, to get a result.

“Truro away, Plymouth (Parkway) away. The lads have been brilliant but I felt we all let ourselves, the supporters and club down.

“Fundamentally, we didn’t do the basics well enough for long periods.”

He added: “We felt we prepared well, were ready for the fixture. I felt the conditions were difficult for the way we play.

“They cleared played the conditions better than us. It’s definitely not an excuse.

“If you look at the reasons and where we need to improve, that’s definitely an area.

“We’re playing against big, physical and powerful sides. We have to match them and I felt we didn’t match them enough to give ourselves half a chance.”

Howes also had no quibbles with the penalty decisions.

“They were all spot-kicks,” he admitted. “I’m not going to complain about the officiating, they were very good and controlled the game.

“Tiverton were more aggressive than us and that’s where the penalties came from.

“We were unwilling to go toe-to-toe with certain players and take ourselves into precarious areas to stop them getting into the box.

“There’s no blame on the players that have given (away) the penalties.”