GRAHAM Kemp couldn’t fault the effort of his players against Bristol Rovers on Saturday – he was just disappointed with the way the Magpies went out of the FA Cup with something of a whimper.

The Dorchester Town boss was also left to rue a run of injuries in the build-up to the fourth qualifying round tie that prevented key squad members from being involved.

An under-strength home side were a clear second best on the day as Ellis Harrison claimed a hat-trick to put Rovers in the draw for the first round proper.

The Magpies, on the other hand, will look to focus on improving their position in the Evo-Stik Premier Division now that their cup challenge is over for another season.

Reflecting on Saturday’s clash, Kemp saw Rovers’ third goal, one which put them 3-0 up, as the straw that broke the camel’s back, while he was somewhat disheartened at how the hosts finished the game.

“The first goal in the second half hurt us,” he said. “We got one back but never really got to a stage where we could have a go at them.

“They were too good for us and the most disappointing thing for me was the last two goals.

“You take 4-1 or 5-1 on the chin and say they were probably four goals better, but the last two we were really disappointed with.

“They make the scoreline look a little bit more flattering than it should have been.”

He continued: “They were professional and even at three, four and five they didn’t stop.

“They didn’t take the mickey and take their foot of the gas, they went for more goals.”

Cup-tied players and injuries to Jake Smeeton, Ben Joyce (both hamstring) and Josh Kaye (groin) left Kemp with little room for manoeuvre in his team selection.

In the end, winger Dan Smith played up front in Joyce’s absence and others like young Oakley Hanger had to adapt to playing out of position.

“It’s never an excuse but we were very lightweight,” he added. “The injuries during the week have killed us on top of the cup-tied players.

“Dan was on his own up front so we had to go quite direct, which at any level is clutching at straws.

“Dan worked himself into the ground and I knew it was going to be a thankless task for him, and he knew that.

“It was a thankless task for a lot of the players playing slightly out of position.”

Kemp, whose side is in Dorset Senior Cup action at home to Parley Sports tomorrow (7.45pm), confirmed after the Rovers match that Kyle Critchell would not be playing for the Magpies again.

“Kyle won’t play any more,” said Kemp. “We couldn’t give him money and he couldn’t give the commitment. It’s an amicable thing.”