BOSS Matty Holmes was eager for his side to rapidly regroup following their 4-1 humbling at Bristol Manor Farm.

Magpies saw their 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions come to a shuddering halt as an “unacceptable” first-half defensive display left them treading water at The Creek.

A double from Farm’s Cory Simpson along with strikes from Steve Kingdon and James Turner during the opening 37 minutes all but ended the contest.

Toby Holmes netted what proved to be a consolation two minutes before the interval but, with a threadbare squad to pick from, the Cuthbury boss admitted his troops were lacklustre.

He told the Daily Echo: “Bristol Manor are a dangerous side, they have some good players and they are dangerous from set-pieces.

“The defending in the first half was unacceptable and, when you haven’t been beaten in 10 games a defeat helps you regroup and refocus.

“We defended a lot better in the second half and did very well but we just have to re-group.”

Wimborne slipped to sixth in Southern League West following the setback with Bristol Manor Farm leapfrogging them into third spot.

Holmes is hopeful of some key personnel returning to action when his side tomorrow host high-flying Salisbury (3pm).

Luke Burbidge was forced to miss Saturday’s game through illness and is aiming to recover.

Sam Davidson should be available to feature, while Paddy Hester and Luke Holmes both face fitness tests.

Magpies were beaten 2-0 when the sides met on New Year’s Day in front of a crowd of 902 at Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

But Holmes revealed he had a message of praise from opposite number Steve Claridge following the clash.

“Steve sent me a text after the last game to say we deserved more. I have known him for years and get on really well with him,” added the Wimborne manager.

“He looks like he may have rested a couple ready for Monday. I hope we can get a big crowd to watch the boys play and, whatever happens, both teams have a reputation to try to play good football, so hopefully it will be a good spectacle.

“With their reputation, ground and expectations, we are the smaller club and we just want to showcase what we are trying to do in small steps.

“We have progressed nicely and to still be sixth and in a cup final for us is unbelievable.”

Claridge and Holmes share a friendship stretching back to when they were on Cherries’ books together in the mid-1980s.

The Whites, who are second in the table, warmed up for their trip to Cuthbury by thumping Shortwood United 6-1.

Magpies: Benfield, Maybury, Cole, Oldring, Arnold, Kellaway, Stokoe, Francis (Bayston, 67), T Holmes, Walker, Lovell. Unused subs: Davidson, Traynor, L Holmes, Walsh (g/k).