Gosport boss Gale still plague by strike problems ahead of FA Trophy trip to Dorchester Town

Manager Shaun Gale once again finds himself having to juggle his forward options.

He lost big target man Elliott Charles last month due to travel commitments becoming too much of a problem.

Charles was facing a three-hour trip each time back and fore from north London.

Borough lost Dan Wooden to injury in the first half at Poole Town on Tuesday with a nasty-looking leg injury.

To compound the problems, fellow striker Matt Paterson is still struggling with a groin strain.

Gale admits it is a problem.

'I have never known anything like it,' he rued.

'If Dan had stayed on the pitch at Poole then there is a good chance we could have come away with something.

'Before his injury he scored two goals in as many games.

'Playing without a regular centre-forward does make life difficult.

'We are creating the chances but are not putting them away.

'I thought we were fantastic at Poole and didn't deserve to come away empty-handed.

'This weekend I am hoping that we can patch Dan up and get him back out there.

'He has got the all clear with no break but still has a nasty gash and severe bruising on his leg.

'We will leave it until the last minute before making a decision on him.

'Matt is improving but this is probably a game too soon.

'It is frustrating because we need their goals.

'I have got a few irons in the fire but whether we can get someone in on loan before the game remains to be seen.'

Gale is aware that the FA Trophy is a competition close to the hearts of the club.

Borough played at Wembley in the final in 2013/2014, losing 4-0 to Cambridge United. They had memorably beaten Hawks - with Gale assistant manager to Lee Bradbury - in the semi-final.

As Hawks boss, Gale reached the quarter-finals of the Trophy in 2008/09.

'This is a competition that we would love to have another run in,' said Gale.

'In the current climate it is even more important to bring extra finance into the club.

'Success can also breed confidence and we need to get back into a winning habit.

'It is important that we go there and come back with a result.'

Dorchester have made a dismal start to the Southern League Premier South season, losing four out of their six games.

They were thrashed 6-1 at home by Salisbury last weekend, and lost 2-1 at Taunton in midweek.

In addition, the Magpies were dumped out of the FA Cup by two leagues lower Christchurch.

Their only win so far in 2020/21 was a shock 1-0 home league victory over high-flying Tiverton.