HOTSHOT striker Scott Joyce staked his claim for a regular starting spot by coming off the bench to fire Wimborne Town into the FA Cup first qualifying round.

The prolific frontman has been much-talked-about in recent weeks, with rumours linking him with a move away from Cuthbury after he found himself behind James Stokoe and Danny Gibbons in the Magpies pecking order.

But Joyce showed his proven goalscoring credentials on Saturday as he notched a second-half double to book Wimborne a potentially lucrative home tie against Southern League Tiverton Town in the next round.

Joyce entered the fray on the hour mark, replacing Gibbons, with Wimborne locked at 0-0 in their clash at Odd Down.

And the Wessex League's most renowned marksman wasted no time in demonstrating his skills.

He headed Magpies in front after 65 minutes before confirming the victory late on with a simple finish.

Wimborne assistant boss Adam Batchelor, who is standing in for manager Christer Warren while he is on a short period of leave, was impressed with Joyce's contribution.

He said: "If you want someone to answer any questions - that's certainly the way to do it.

"He got his head down and worked and answered in the best possible way."

Batchelor is now looking forward to seeing Wimborne pit their talents against Tiverton, who play two leagues above Magpies.

"We showed in pre-season we can match teams from a higher level and the lads are thoroughly looking forward to it," he added.

DOLPHINS MARCH ON

FELLOW Wessex League big-guns Poole Town continued their excellent start to the season by booking their place in the next round.

Goals from Stuart Brown and Charlie Austin handed Tom Killick's men a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 10-man Willand Rovers at Tatnam.

Dolphins suffered an early fright in Saturday's match when they conceded for the first time this season.

But the Wessex Premier Division pacesetter soon found their feet, with Brown and Austin firing them into a half-time lead.

Willand were reduced to 10 men just before the break but Poole boss Killick admitted the visitors still proved tough opposition after one of their players saw red.

He said: "It was an even game and they gave as good as they got. Even with 10 men they caused us problems."

Poole's reward for progressing is an extremely tough home tie against Merthyr Tydfil.

"I looked at some of the draws other teams have got and perhaps we can feel a bit hard done-by," said Killick.

"But on the other side of the coin, it's an attractive fixture and a chance to play someone from a higher league. So you can look at it two ways."