TEMPORARY manager Paul Roast admitted a “different voice” had done Wimborne Town’s performance levels the power of good – despite Saturday’s setback at Banbury.

Battling Magpies had their wings clipped in the final 15 minutes at the Spencer Stadium with a 2-0 defeat leaving them out of the Southern South & West relegation zone on goal difference.

But Roast had no qualms with his players after a resolute showing that kept the high-flying Puritans at bay for most of the match before Darius Browne and Andy Gunn settled matters.

Roast told the Daily Echo: “I was gutted for the players. They worked their socks off and were the better side in the second half.

“We should have had a penalty but it wasn’t given and they went up the other end and scored. Our work-rate was first class. Maybe they edged it on the day but there was certainly no despondency.”

It was Roast’s second game in charge alongside veteran coach John Macey following the resignation of long-serving boss Steve Cuss with a permanent replacement expected to be announced during the next week.

Asked whether the fresh approach had influenced performances, Roast added: “Cussy said himself that it needed a different voice, a bit of a change. We have tweaked one or two things and try to find out a little bit about the opposition when we can.

“Maybe a different couple of voices and slight change to the organisation have helped. We’re trying to build from the back, keep things solid first and then go from there.

“They are still Cussy’s players, he brought them in and we know they are good enough, it’s just a case of trying to get what we can out of them.

“They are responding at the moment. Regardless of the result, the amount they gave was outstanding.”

The Echo understands Taffy Richardson is one of three candidates selected for interviews, which will be held this week.

Roast has ruled himself out of the running and will only consider his future once Wimborne have picked their new manager.

On his long-term future, Roast said: “I have no idea what I’ll do at the moment. I have thought about it but everything depends on who comes in and if they want me.

“There have been so many names bandied about so I don’t want to think to myself, ‘I’m staying or ‘I’m going’ until I know who is going to get it and have a good old think about it.

“This is all very new to me as well so all I’m thinking about is training and the next game. My future will be decided when the club’s is."

Magpies: Harvell, Randall, Crutcher, Johnson, Waters, Blake (Turner, 77), Arnold, Oliver, Stokoe, Clarke, Preston. Unused subs: O’Hare, Roast.