YOUTH-team graduate Chris Wilcox settled the nerves with a late strike as Wimborne Town ended a five-match winless league streak with a 3-1 victory over Fleet.

Steve Cuss’s men, seeking their first win for a month, had appeared in complete control thanks to first-half strikes from Jamie Davidson and Sam Griffin but endured a second-half siege on their goal after Ben White had halved the visitors’ deficit.

But Wilcox emerged from the bench and wrapped up three precious points against the run of play with five minutes left at Cuthbury.

Cuss kept his faith in youngsters Ant Waters and Louis Kellaway for the clash and Wimborne made a bright start with striker Mark Gamble pelting the post early on.

Further opportunities came and went but the hosts broke the deadlock after 32 minutes when Gamble cut back for Davidson to lash into the roof of the net.

Davidson then turned provider with a silky piece of skill deceiving his marker before teeing up Griffin to apply a simple finish.

Fleet made two changes at half-time and came out with renewed impetus but Wimborne will be disappointed with the manner of the goal that halved their lead.

A long ball was flicked over defender Billy Maybury for White to latch on to and finish between goalkeeper Jason Harvell’s legs, the effort trickling agonisingly over the line.

From there, Fleet laid siege to Harvell’s goal with vehement claims for a goal when substitute Shaun Lancaster’s effort bounced down off the underside of the crossbar.

However, Ian Oliver caught the visitors cold and broke down the left to find Wilcox who made no mistake as he fired home his first Southern League goal.

There was still time for Jack White to hit the post for Fleet late on but Wimborne held out to move up to 12th in Southern South & West.

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Maybury, Costello, Kellaway, Griffin (Kemble, 69), Davidson, Waters (Wilcox, 79), Gamble, Stokoe. Unused subs: Roast, Field (g/k).