BOSS Steve Cuss was adamant Wimborne had been the victims of an ill-deserved defeat at the hands of Southern League rivals Merthyr last night.

Magpies were condemned to a 3-2 loss at Penydarren Park after Martyrs’ Ryan Prosser popped up with a winner deep into stoppage time.

Victory saw the hosts climb to second in the Division One South & West table, while a sixth defeat on their travels left Wimborne 15 points adrift of leaders Cirencester.

Cuss’s men made the 263-mile round trip to south Wales in their own vehicles and had twice taken the lead in the first half.

“I am so disappointed for the players because they deserved more from the game," Cuss told the club website.

“They have been magnificent. It took a lot of effort getting there and, once we were on the pitch, we put up a very good performance. We scored twice in the first half and could have had more.”

Wimborne got off to a dream start when Mark Gamble capitalised on an error by Merthyr goalkeeper Craig Morris to walk the ball into an empty net.

And although Matthew Harris levelled for Martyrs on the stroke of half-time, a swift response saw Jon Blake head home to restore the visitors’ lead.

Magpies held firm until Kayne McLaggon equalised midway through the second half before Prosser had the final say late on.

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Costello, Middleton, Blake, Webb, Sainsbury, Stokoe (Kemble, 73), Gamble (Wilson, 88), Griffin. Unused subs: Maybury, Roast, Ackerman (g/k).