BOSS Ashley Vickers criticised the Avenue Stadium pitch following Dorchester’s goalless draw with Havant & Waterlooville, calling it a “disgrace”.

The Magpies chalked up their first point of the new season on Saturday but remain rooted to the foot of Blue Square Bet South.

Although pleased to get off the mark, Vickers felt the state of the county town surface hindered his side’s attempts to record a maiden victory.

Vickers, whose charges travel to Hampton & Richmond this afternoon (3pm), said: “The pitch is a disgrace and there is no excuse for it being the length it is. We’ve got a full-time groundsman and he’s got to sort that pitch out and put the divots back.

“We only train on it once or twice a week and it’s a disgrace as it’s killing our tempo.

“We have got to give the boys every utensil so they can play how we want to play.

“When the grass is three or four inches long and dry, it kills that and it’s not on. It needs to be changed for our next home game.”

Discussing Saturday’s stalemate, the Magpies’ manager added: “On the balance of play I felt we deserved perhaps a bit more but we’ll take a point. It’s a start and it’s a step in the right direction. Their keeper made some good saves but we’ve got to take those chances. They were more clear-cut than the ones Havant had and we’ve got to be ruthless.

“The lads have been an absolute credit to themselves over the last week or so and I have every faith that the results and goals will come, both as we develop and as we try to bring people in to strengthen the squad.”

Vickers was unable to draft in an unnamed target to bolster his attacking options for the visit of the Hawks, but did include summer trialist Saul Otobo in his match-day squad.

The county town chief remains hopeful in his pursuit of the former and will continue to monitor the credentials of the latter.

Of Otobo’s recall, he said: “He’s got bags of pace, which is something we don’t have, he’s signed registration forms and we’ll see what develops.”

Defender Kyle Critchell limped out of Saturday’s draw and is now doubtful for today’s clash with the Beavers.

Vickers added: “Kyle’s got a bruised hip so we’ll have to see how he is.

“Hampton is a tough place to go but every game is difficult. However, we’ve competed with everyone and even Havant’s captain Ian Simpemba said that he couldn’t believe we are where we are as he felt we were the best team they’ve played this season.”

* Forward Rico Wilson has penned dual registration forms with Sherborne Town while defender Jake Smeeton's proposed loan move to Gillingham Town fell through, prompting a similar switch to Poole Town instead.

Magpies (from): Evans, Coward, R Hill, Frampton, Critchell, Martin, Walker, K Hill, Jermyn, Coutts, Gleeson, Crittenden, Devlin, Allen, Moss, Douglas, Groves, Otobo.