MANAGER Steve Cuss heaped praise on Wimborne Town’s patched-up backline after watching his side spring an FA Trophy surprise at Dorchester.

The Southern South & West underdogs secured £2,700 in prize money and a place in today’s second qualifying round draw thanks to Matt Kemble’s first-half strike and a well-taken brace by marksman Mark Gamble.

But on an afternoon where polished football was at a premium, Cuss was delighted with the manner in which his makeshift defence kept at bay their higher-ranked rivals as Wimborne claimed a creditable cup scalp.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “It was a great performance and I thought we defended particularly well against the threat Dorchester posed as well as being clinical in the final third. It was a fantastic afternoon for us.

“The match threw up some difficulties for our players because the pitch was very bumpy and it was hard to even put three or four passes together.

“At half-time we knew we would have the wind in the second half so the message was to try and get the ball forward a little bit quicker and then play in the final third, which paid off.”

Meanwhile, Cuss admitted man-of-the-match Billy Maybury had given him plenty of food for thought with his mature display at centre-half.

“Billy was outstanding but I also have to give a special mention to Tom Biles and Max Brimson as well,” said Cuss.

“All three came in with a couple of players unavailable and stuck to their task really well.

“The luxury with Billy is that he can play anywhere across the back or in central midfield.

“He played at centre-half in a younger age group during his time at AFC Bournemouth and we have been waiting for him to get that physicality to play there in senior football.

"He looks ready now which is a real plus for us.”

On Gamble’s contribution, Cuss said: “Mark has had ankle problems all season and it has affected his ability to train some weeks but his quality was there for all too see.

“You don’t have to create 10 or 12 chances when you have Mark around, even with one or two you stand a good chance of scoring. He was clinical.”