MANAGER Steve Cuss admitted Oxford City gave his Wimborne Town side a lesson in keep-ball after Magpies’ FA Trophy run came to an end at Cuthbury.

Conference North Oxford triumphed in straightforward fashion as a first-half goal from Tom Winters and a brace from Adi Yussuf after the break gave the visitors a 3-0 victory.

Wimborne had earned £12,450 in prize money from the competition after wins over Godalming, Dorchester, Northwood and Hornchurch had propelled them into the uncharted territory of the first round.

However, Cuss admitted that the possession play of Oxford - 49 places above Magpies in the pyramid – had made a significant difference and said his players could learn valuable lessons from City’s approach.

The boss told the Daily Echo: “Oxford used the ball exceptionally well and rarely gave it away. We have got to look at that and see if we can add that to our game in certain areas of the pitch.

“We will spend time on the training pitches trying to get that side of things right but on reflection we’re proud of the players and what they have achieved.

“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to our players for the cup run in general. They have been absolutely first class.

“We came up against a very strong side that were excellent in everything they did and we were well beaten.

“At no point did we let our heads drop. We kept going right until the end and tried to turn it around in the second half.

“The financial rewards that have come in from the FA Trophy are always much- needed by clubs at our level and the opportunity for our players to play against Conference North opposition was fantastic.

“The players can be immensely proud of the cup run they achieved this year.”

Winters put Oxford in front in the 15th minute and striker Mark Gamble was unfortunate not to level when his shot was parried by keeper Salva de la Cruz and then scrambled off the line.

Yussuf added the second shortly before the hour and the former Burton frontman made sure of victory in the dying stages.

Wimborne finished the game with 10 men after Gamble came off with an ankle problem and the Ulsterman is a doubt for the Southern South & West clash with visitors Shortwood tomorrow.

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Maybury, Costello, Blake (Brimson, 90), Griffin (Biles, 90), Webb (Lupton, 59), Kemble, Gamble, Stokoe. Unused subs: Roast, Field (g/k).