WELL, that wasn’t in the script.

Those gazing down the list of FA Trophy fixtures this weekend may have seen this as an interesting battle rather than one ripe for a shock and the evidence hardly strengthened Wimborne’s case.

Frequently the producers of meek displays in the heat of battle – particularly in derbies – Steve Cuss’s side have often been maligned as a neat-and-tidy team with a soft underbelly.

With the heart ripped out of the heart of their defence in the build-up to a Dorset duel played on a bumpy battleground, even the most ardent of supporters would have struggled to make a compelling argument for an unlikely victory.

But therein lies the beauty of the cup upset – despite the fact it emerged from the ugliest of tussles.

Let there be no doubt, as dreadful as Dorchester were, Wimborne fully deserved to progress following a dogged and composed display in which they showed a ruthless streak on the break.

Marshalled superbly by stand-in centre-half Billy Maybury, Wimborne set about stoutly defending a slender first-half lead handed to them by a deft finish from the rejuvenated Matt Kemble.

Former Cherries apprentice Kemble made quite the double act with goalscoring talisman Mark Gamble, who belied his recent injury woes with an expertly-taken brace either side of Dorchester’s brief flurry after Nathan Walker’s header had given the hosts hope.

Despite a dearth of fit and available defenders, Wimborne made a solid if unspectacular start without causing much concern in the final third.

Dorchester steadily made advances and grew into the game but a series of set pieces came to nothing as Maybury excelled in reading the game, calmly mopping up any danger with the help of partner-in-crime Tom Biles.

And it was during that spell of pressure that Wimborne sprung the trap and hit their hosts with an incisive break.

Sam Griffin’s raking pass from deep found the feet of Gamble who left full-back Tony Rolls treading treacle before whipping in a low centre for Kemble to delicately steer inside the far post with 20 minutes on the clock.

Dorchester were stung into action but simply failed to offer enough quality to break down a Wimborne outfit who became increasingly reserved in their efforts to counter-attack.

Former Bashley striker Jack Odam blazed wildly over from one of Dorchester’s few openings during a poor first half which left an eerie sense of gloom hanging over the Avenue at half-time.

The pedestrian pace continued after the break but Kemble did all he could to inject some life into proceedings, his snapshot cannoning off Rolls eight minutes after the restart, while Dan Smith offered the only semblance of a threat for Dorchester.

Kemble then spurned a golden chance for number two after Gamble had dispossessed the hesitant Dillon and combined with Davidson, but Kemble’s shot at an inviting net was too close to Alan Walker-Harris who gratefully parried away with ease.

But rather than being punished for that aberration, Wimborne went on to grab a killer second just minutes after Dorchester had thrown on Ben Joyce and Sam Lanahan in a bid to bolster their options.

Another precise cross-field ball from deep was cushioned back across goal by Kemble with Gamble on hand to apply a simple finish at the far post.

The lacklustre hosts momentarily stirred once more and this time grabbed a quick lifeline from a controversial free kick harshly awarded against Maybury for nibbling at his opponent on the edge of the box.

Andy Robinson delivered a simple ball and for the first time all afternoon, Walker overpowered the Wimborne backline to thump home.

Suddenly the complexion of the game completely changed as dazed Wimborne wobbled for the next few minutes.

A well-worked move down the right saw substitute Joyce scamper away only to send his low daisy-cutter just wide of Harvell’s far upright.

Smith exploited more space on the right moments later but shot wide of the near post and the grandstand finish never truly materialised.

As the game opened up, so did the gaps for Wimborne with the effervescent Kemble going close as the clock ticked down and the visitors eventually made the game safe with a controversial goal of their own with six minutes to play.

Davidson caught Hubbard in possession before darting past a Dorchester challenge. The tricky playmaker, who had enjoyed a fruitful afternoon, then blotted his copybook by meekly going down as he entered the penalty area.

Referee Martin Bloor was unmoved but the ball broke kindly for substitute George Webb who drilled back across goal for Gamble to thump home with aplomb.

Had Bloor decided to punish Davidson for his staggered fall, Dorchester may have gained one last throw of the dice but any equaliser would have been an injustice on a day when Cuss’s charges finally found their bite.

MATCH FACTS

Dorchester: Walker-Harris, Rolls, Oldring (Murray, 38, Lanahan, 60), Gleeson, Walker, Dillon, Hubbard, Parrett (Joyce, 60), Robinson, Odam, Smith. Unused subs: Godfrey, Hanger.

Booked: Robinson, Rolls.

Wimborne: Harvell 7.5, Arnold 7.5, Brimson 7, Biles 8, Stokoe 7.5, Blake 8, Griffin 8, Davidson 7 (Lupton, 87), Kemble 8.5 (Webb, 81), Gamble 8.5 (Burton-Hemmings, 90), Maybury 8.5. Unused subs: Phelps, Field (g/k).

Referee: Martin Bloor (Lymington).

Attendance: 315.

STAR MAN - BILLY MAYBURY

Neat, tidy and efficient, Maybury’s performance summed up Wimborne’s tenacious display.

Granted, Dorchester had an off-day but as the pressure grew, so did Maybury’s stature as he glided across the backline to snuff out any danger in style.

Far from being daunted by playing out of position, the former Cherries youngster relished his role and might have given manager Steve Cuss a selection headache at centre-half.

With Cuss opting for a small squad this season, he will need flexible friends and Maybury has the potential to be the ace in his pack.