MANAGER Steve Cuss expressed his “disappointment” after Wimborne Town had suffered an opening-day defeat at the hands of Southern League Division One South & West rivals Yate Town.

Magpies, who spent heavily on bolstering their playing resources over the summer, took a full-strength squad to Bristol but returned home empty-handed after a 2-1 loss.

Joe Chandler opened the scoring for the hosts before former Bristol Rovers striker Lewis Haldane, once tipped for a bright future in the game, doubled their advantage.

And although Matt Kemble struck to halve the deficit 17 minutes from time, the visitors were unable to force an equaliser.

Cuss (pictured right) will be looking for an immediate response when Magpies open their Cuthbury campaign against Godalming tomorrow (7.45pm).

“I was disappointed because we didn’t get going in attack until the last 20 minutes.

“We always review each game and will be looking to see where we can put things right in time for Tuesday’s game.”

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Whitley (Griffin, 63), Costello, Brian, Blake, Davidson, Phillipson-Masters (Hubbard, 63), Stokoe (Kemble, 63), Gamble, Webb. Unused subs: Smith, Ackerman (g/k).

  • Newly-appointed joint-bosses Paul Gazzard and Stewart Kearn saw Bashley get their Premier Division campaign off to a solid start with a 0-0 draw at Biggleswade Town.

Bash, who handed full debuts to Nic Jones, Sam Boultwood, Tim Sills and Jack Odam, turned in a gritty display after losing Charlie Knight to a groin injury in the warm-up.

Goalkeeper Jones made an important early save after Pearce Farren had gone close to opening the scoring for Bash. Brett Donnelly headed against the post for the hosts before Bashley substitute Jack Satterley made an immediate impact by setting up Sills, whose resultant effort was scrambled clear.

Bash: Jones, Stephenson, Boultwood, I Richardson, Middleton (Morris 58), S Richardson, Casey, Farren, Sills, Odam (Satterley 79), Strickland. Unused subs: Brookes, Thomas, Porter.