PATIENCE is the name of the game for Weymouth manager Ian Hutchinson as he continues to hit roadblocks in his bid to add some older heads to his vastly inexperienced squad.

Following an improved performance in a 2-0 defeat at Wimborne Town last night, the Terras’ boss once again attempted to hide his frustration after another trialist let him down at the 11th hour.

Hutchinson said: “We were supposed to have a lad coming tonight who is a prolific goalscorer at this level but I got a text from him at 5.46pm saying he could not make it and that it was perhaps too long a journey for him.

“That is what we are up against at the minute and it is frustrating but we have to remain positive.

“It is a big ask to expect the young lads we have at the minute to come in all at once and do the business at this level but fair play to them tonight because they have worked hard and put in a vastly improved performance against a decent side.

“And they had to, as another display like the one they put in at Portland United on Saturday would have seen one or two leave the party.

“The quality we showed in possession this evening was a lot better, our work-rate was good, and had we stuck away one of the three or four clear-cut chances we had in the opening 20 minutes it may have finished a different story.

“We know what we need and that is three or four men around the place who have played at this level and have the experience to help the younger ones out and pull them around.

“We will continue to endeavour to bring players of that ilk in but we need to remain patient. There are still a lot of players out there and if we have to wait until the last week before the season starts to get the ones we want in then so be it.”

Hutchinson is not a fan of picking out particular players for praise but last night he made an exception for Tom Manley, Lewis Ironside and Sam Charles.

He added: “Tom’s handling was very clean and he is looking a good signing. Sam is also working his socks off and on another night would have netted a couple. He has definitely got something about him.

“The other player I thought did well was Lewis Ironside, who showed a lot of quality on the ball in the first half and gave us a good outlet. He knows he needs to work on his fitness but he certainly showed some positive signs.”

Wimborne, who are managed by ex-Terras captain Alex Browne, netted both their goals in the second half through Kev James and Perry Mullins.

Terras: Manley (Weeks 85), Tribe, Dixon, Oldring, Clarke (Welch 80), Ironside, MacGookin, Reiffer, Halloran, Emati-Emati, Charles (Kemble 70).