BOSS Steve Cuss could only look on in despair as Wimborne were brought to a standstill by two major defensive lapses against FA Cup heroes Shortwood United yesterday.

The Cuthbury outfit, without a clean sheet in their past six matches, switched off at vital times to allow Duncan Culley and Ross Langworthy to etch their names on the scoresheet and seal a comfortable three points for the visitors who reached the first round this season.

And while there was an element of controversy over Shortwood’s second, Cuss conceded his side had been culpable over what proved to be the strike which sealed the match.

Both teams looked shaky at the back during a frantic opening and Wimborne fell behind on 22 minutes when they allowed Culley to stroll on to a hopeful ball from deep before rounding goalkeeper Jason Harvell to find the empty net.

Seven minutes later, the frontman turned provider in a bizarre second for the visitors as the Magpies froze, waiting for an assistant’s flag which never came.

With Wimborne expecting official Lee Rutter to signal for a throw, they stood and watched Culley’s burst down the flank before he found Langworthy to slot home Shortwood’s second.

On the incident, Cuss told the Daily Echo: “We thought it was over the line but, from our point of view, we stopped. The incident was on the halfway line so that was definitely an error on our part.

“It was quite obvious that the ball was out of play which was why they all stopped but these things happen and we have got to learn from them.”

Cuss continued: “The first goal is important in any game and we didn’t defend well for the first 25 minutes.

“We ended up conceding two poor goals and we were chasing the game from then on.”

The home side’s best chance fell to top scorer Mark Gamble just before the break who shrugged off his marker to latch on to George Webb’s cross but failed to hit the target from close range.

Wimborne’s eighth league defeat of the season provided another knock to their promotion aspirations but Cuss believes Town’s recently rebuilt back four should not shoulder all the blame for recent setbacks.

The Cuthbury boss claimed: “I don’t know whether it’s to do with the new faces or not. The forwards in this league are good players but it is something we need to work on. We want to try to get better defensively.”

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Costello, Middleton (Kemble, 55), Blake, Webb (Maybury, 72), Sainsbury, Stokoe, Gamble, Griffin. Unused subs: Wilson, Roast, Ackerman (g/k).