BOSS Ashley Vickers lives to fight another day but may be forced to trim his squad to help balance the books at the Avenue Stadium.

The county town chief has received the full backing of chairman Shaun Hearn in the wake of four straight defeats, including Saturday’s FA Cup exit, and growing pressure from a number of frustrated fans.

But with the Blue Square Bet South outfit currently “over-budget”, the axe could fall elsewhere within the club – or a wage cut implemented.

Hearn told Echosport: “We don’t need to lower the budget, we just need to work to what it has been set to. Sometimes it’s difficult to stick to a budget because players come in and out on loan and sometimes you bring players in to cover injuries.

“Ash is fully aware of the situation and he has got to make the numbers work. We have done our part and set out what we are going to do, it’s up to him to talk to the players as a unit and let us know what the response is.

“Whether some decide, or he decides, they are not for Dorchester then so be it.

“As chairman I take full responsibility for us being over-budget because nothing gets done without my say-so or the board’s say-so.

“Perhaps we are punching above our weight but we still want to stay in this division. Maybe we need to start bringing the young lads through as we’ve got some good talent who can go on and play at a higher standard. It could be a blessing in disguise that our hand has been forced.”

Despite the need to ease the financial burden, a £5,000 offer from Weymouth for towering defender Nathan Walker has been rejected by the Magpies’ board.

Hearn, who turned down a total of three bids from the Terras, added: “There’s no need to panic or make rash decisions.

“Without being disrespectful, we would never stand in anyone’s way if a higher level club came in for them. But I do not believe he wants to go anywhere and we do not want to lose him.”

On the decision to retain the services of manager Vickers, the county town businessman said: “He knows it’s a results-based business but we are prepared to support him and Phil Simkin, and we have made that clear.

“The lads are 100 per cent behind Ash and Phil and I do not feel there is any need to change that. It’s important to be patient.

“He is under no illusions as to what we have to work with and what we have to achieve. But after talking we all came away feeling positive and looking forward to getting on with things.

“I’m sure there will be some negative responses from supporters but we need everyone to get behind us as we need to concentrate on the positives. It’s far too early in the season to be panicking.

“Ash wants to be a success here and he is determined to make that happen. We all want to be successful but if we have to be more patient to get there then so be it.

“We are fresh into the season and we have proved we can match anyone. It’s having that one player who can put the ball in the net.

“We still have a good group of players and if they fulfil their ability and potential then we will be successful. Sure we’ve been disappointed with some of the results and performances this season but if we had won on Saturday it perhaps would have only papered over the cracks.

“We have come a hell of a long way in the last two years. The infrastructure that’s in place, with the academy, the reserves and the A team, has not happened overnight but we will reap the rewards in years to come.”