DORCHESTER Town manager Tom Killick has called on the Magpies’ supporters to rally round the club’s players in their fight for survival.

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Gosport Borough kept Dorchester in 20th place in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South.

However, the competitive nature of the bottom half means Killick’s men remain only one point away from escaping the bottom four and only three points behind Hanwell in 15th.

And Killick believes the Avenue Stadium faithful can play a big part in helping Dorchester in their bid to stay up.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent following the Gosport defeat, he said: “It’s not a nice experience being in those places, in that area.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 0-3 Gosport Borough - reaction

"It does create a lot of pressure. It’s my job to try and take some responsibility for everything overall, that has to be right.

“The players need to have a decent environment in which to play and give ourselves the best chance of getting out of it.

“Criticisms (after Gosport), I’ll take those. I feel those that watched the game certainly will realise that the players have put everything in to it.

“I hope the supporters stick with the players. The supporters have been brilliant.

“3-0 at home, yes it’s disappointing and there was a subdued mood around the stadium, but I thought it was brilliant that the supporters didn’t turn on the players.

“They will know by sticking by the players that’s certainly going to help us.”

Dorchester travel to play-off hunting Bracknell Town on Saturday (3pm).