WIMBORNE Town boss Steve Cuss hailed the depth of his reshaped squad after watching rejuvenated Magpies narrowly miss out on leaping to second spot.

Sam Collier’s 89th-minute penalty earned Cirencester Town a 2-2 draw at Cuthbury on Saturday as Wimborne were denied the chance to move one place behind rivals Poole in the Southern League Division One South & West table.

Tom Jeffes opened the scoring for Magpies before Joe Shephard equalised for the visitors. Jamie Davidson restored the hosts’ lead on 70 minutes, only for Collier to strike from the spot to ensure Cirencester of a place in the top two.

Manager Cuss says the atmosphere in the Wimborne dressing room is “completely different” this season after picking up 12 points – a total Magpies had not reached by Boxing Day last term.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “We are playing without the pressure of being down at the bottom and have a much more competitive squad now.

“We have 18 lads who I consider to be first-team players who are all fighting hard for places. We end up with disappointed players every week. It has given me a nice headache.”

Magpies: Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Peprah-Annan, Brian, Blake, Gill (Sainsbury, 69), Hubbard, Jeffes (Smith, 79), Davidson (Kemble, 79), Webb. Unused sub: Costello.

  •  In the Wessex Premier, Martin Warren’s goal could not save Bournemouth Poppies from suffering a 2-1 home defeat against Downton.

Wessex One outfit Ringwood Town were beaten 3-2 by Fleet Spurs. Oliver Wells and Sean Leadbetter were on target for hosts Ringwood.