Dorchester Town assistant manager Glenn Howes says he sees the 1-1 draw with Havant and Waterlooville as 'points dropped'.

Howes directing things at The Avenue in the wake of Tom Killick's absence due to illness and was speaking on the club's social media after the Southern League Premier tie with the Hawks. 

Olaf Koszela had put The Magpies in front with a magnificent strike from distance but the home side would only take a point from the game after Calum Kealy's equaliser.

New signing Gerard Benfield was also forced off late in the second half meaning defender Will Spetch was forced to go in goal for the remaining 10 minutes of the match, plus nine minutes of injury time. 

READ: Southern League: Dorchester 1-1 Havant & Waterlooville

Howes said: ""We very much see it as two points dropped. 

"We had to make a lot of changes in the second half which were forced.

"I thought we started the game really well and created some openings.

"Unfortunately for a period of the first half we were on the back foot and got punished. 

"In the second half we created two or three clinical chances that you expect us to put away on another day."

When asked about Koszela and his goal, Howe was full of praise for the striker who he believes can have a good season with the club this year. 

He added: "He picked up a little injury in pre-season and did ever so well last weekend. 

"When players have a good pre-season they invariably go on to have a very good season.

"I think with his standards he will be disappointed he didn't take that second one."

When asked about Benfield's injury, Howe revealed that the keeper had gone to hospital with a dislocated finger and would likely be out for at least a 'couple of weeks'.

He also praised Spetch's character for jumping between the sticks but admitted they missed his presence outfield. 

"[It's] nothing new for Spetchy, he has been in between them posts [before].

"He is an out and out defender so he will always put his body on the line and never shies away from those moments.

"He has owned up and taken the responsibility, but we missed Will's aerial ability but it was nice to come away with a point."

Next up for The Magpies is a trip to The Ian Moorcroft Stadium, in Devon to play Tiverton in the Southern League Premier.

Tiverton come into the tie having been thumped 6-0 by welsh side Merthyr Town.