DORCHESTER Town boss Callum Brooks felt the Magpies’ Southern League Challenge Cup exit at Frome on Tuesday evening could not be related to Saturday league form.

Brooks, who was the subject of criticism from Magpies’ fans in the wake of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with 10-man Walton Casuals, saw Dorchester draw 1-1 with Frome before exiting 4-2 on penalties.

Klaidi Lolos’ 89th-minute penalty forced spot-kicks after Joe O’Loughlin’s opener – only for Callum Rose to miss the decisive kick in the shoot-out.

Against the Robins, the former Hamworthy manager made six changes to the side that drew with Walton.

And Brooks therefore insisted the Magpies’ league and cup results could not be compared amid pressure stemming from a run of one victory in 10 league games.

“I thought we played reasonably well, albeit we lacked a little bit of cutting edge,” Brooks explained.

“We controlled the game for large periods, the mentality was right, we were bright and made some passes.

“I mixed the side up so I don’t think it’s a case of whether you can link it to what happened on Saturday, or look at it going into Saturday (against Chesham).

“We treated the competition as we treated the previous game in the competition. All the people who didn’t start on Saturday started (on Tuesday) and we had a go at the game.

“We’ve been beaten on penalties which is a lottery, to a degree.”

Brooks also praised the Magpies’ character as the visitors chased an equaliser late in the game.

He said: “We had them pinned in and had more sustained pressure, which has been a big point of mine – I thought our attacks have broken down too quickly with too many turnovers.

“Although we had a lot of possession we weren’t missing chance after chance. We only needed one to take it to penalties and the desire to keep going was very good.

“In our position, if we haven’t got that then we haven’t got anything. That resulted in the penalty and we came the wrong side of the penalty shoot-out.

“To be honest, the goal we conceded was two mistakes as well. It’s probably another night where (the result) is slightly harsh but I’m not going to get too concerned over that.”

Dorchester visit BetVictor Southern Premier South leaders Chesham United on Saturday (3pm).