WIMBORNE Town eventually claimed victory in a seven-goal thriller at backmarkers Bishops Cleeve – but they put boss Steve Cuss through the wringer while doing it.

Magpies marched to second in Southern South & West having overcome a two-goal deficit and goalkeeper Jason Harvell’s dismissal to register a 4-3 success at Kayte Lane.

Harlie Price handed Cleeve the perfect start by netting within the first 60 seconds and further chances came and went for the hosts before doubling their lead through Nick Rhodes on 33 minutes.

But Wimborne grabbed a vital lifeline through Jon Blake five minutes before the break and completed a five-minute comeback when Billy Maybury struck in first-half stoppage time.

Blake’s second, a flicked header from Sam Griffin’s centre on 63 minutes, looked to have turned the tide but Harvell saw red for bringing down Price when clean through on goal.

Joe Tustain put the penalty past substitute keeper Ben Field who then produced a smart stop to prevent the Mitres moving back in front.

And when Maybury was felled in the box with 15 minutes to play, hotshot Mark Gamble stepped up to score from the spot and secure an unlikely three points for Wimborne.

“It was action-packed to say the least,” said Cuss.

“While it might have been good to watch, it certainly wasn’t a great performance. We gave ourselves a real mountain to climb with a poor display in the first half an hour but the lads showed great character to come back.

“Having gathered a bit of momentum, it was important we got a goal back before half-time and we managed to get two which proved to be the turning point.

“It got us back on an even keel and we started playing again.”

The result continues Wimborne’s strong start to the season and despite a summer of budget cuts at Cuthbury, Cuss believes his side are now better-prepared for the rigours of Southern League football.

Asked about Wimborne’s upturn in fortunes compared with last season, Cuss added: “I think it’s down to experience.

“The core 12 or 13 players have now got a year under their belts at this level or above and that has started to show.

“We didn’t panic at two down, we just stuck to what we know and did the right things and that has been the slight difference. We may well have lost that game last season.”

Meanwhile, Cuss praised stand-in stopper Field for his “crucial” contribution from the bench.

“It was his first taste of the action and he pulled off an outstanding save two minutes after coming on. Had they scored then it might have been a different story.”

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Costello, Maybury, Biles (Davidson, 60), Griffin, Webb, Blake, Kemble (Field, 72), Gamble. Unused subs: Brimson, Stokoe.