WIMBORNE boss Steve Cuss praised Micky Hubbard’s wonder strike that lit the blue touch paper in a vital 4-1 win over backmarkers Stourport Swifts.

The victory handed Magpies a 12-point cushion over the only Division One South & West relegation place.

Hubbard latched on to a clearance by Mark Benbow in the 68th minute and sent a swirling 25-yard effort flying into the top corner with visiting keeper Haydn Whitcombe rooted to the spot.

Wimborne had struggled until that point, despite taking a third-minute lead when Tom Jeffes’s ball across goal cannoned in off Benbow.

Swifts equalised through Rory Curtis minutes later and dominated the rest of the half, with Jason Harvell denying Graham Ashton from point-blank range before the break.

Louis Bridges spurned another effort for the visitors after half-time, but Hubbard’s blast changed the course of the game.

Swifts midfielder Calvin Dinsley then turned Matt Kemble’s centre into the net and a smart finish late on from Jeffes sealed back-to-back victories for Cuss’s side – all but guaranteeing survival.

Cuss said: “We knew the prizes were big to get the three points and we were delighted to get that 12-point gap between ourselves and Stourport.

“I have got to give full credit to my players. In the past two weeks, we have had the pressure of playing two teams in and around us and we knew how important the results would be and you could probably see that in our play – we have played better this season and lost.

“I thought the turning point was Micky Hubbard’s goal – it just opened up the game and I thought we controlled it for the last half-an-hour.

“It was a great goal and one that he deserves because he works his socks off. I’m delighted for Micky because it was a big move to come to us from Poole.”

Cuss added: “My aim is to keep this squad together and add one or two new recruits.

“But, first and foremost, my aim is to carry on getting the positive results that we have been having in the past few weeks.”

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Cole (Magookin, 84), Roast, Brian, Peprah-Annan, Hill, Hubbard, Kemble (Webb, 79), Jeffes, Davidson (Cook, 81). Unused subs: Taafe, Ackerman (g/k).