MANAGER Steve Cuss conceded Evesham United’s hotly-disputed late leveller had been a bitter pill to swallow for luckless Wimborne Town.

The Magpies had been on course to spring a surprise at the Jubilee Stadium after second-half goals from Ian Oliver and James Stokoe had seen them battle back to take the lead.

Evesham, who had opened the scoring through Jared Wilson’s 11th-minute effort, had won 13 and drawn three of their previous 17 league games – their only defeat coming at the hands of leaders Merthyr.

Wimborne were furious Ashley Edenborough’s 89th-minute equaliser had been allowed to stand with Cuss claiming the striker had “punched” the ball past goalkeeper Jason Harvell.

The controversial goal robbed Magpies of a victory which would have seen them make further ground on the Division One South & West play-off places.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “It is difficult to put the goal into words. The centre-forward punched it in. It was blatant and he apologised to our players afterwards. He said he was surprised he had got away with it.

“It was a really hard one to take. Equalising that late was bad enough and made worse by the fashion it came about.

“Referees and linesmen can only give what they see and they clearly didn’t see it. I am never going to be critical of them and don’t want to let it cloud what was an excellent performance.”

Wimborne survived an early penalty shout before Adam Mann provided the assist for Wilson to draw first blood for the in-form hosts.

But the Robins were rocked when Oliver and Stokoe netted within the space of four second-half minutes to turn the contest on its head before Edenborough struck in the closing stages.

Cuss added: “We were excellent in the second half and created some good opportunities. We played some really good football and looked like we could have scored more.

“I was absolutely delighted with the players. It was a real challenge for us to go to a place like Evesham, especially considering the run they are on. It shows how well we played that we were slightly disappointed to come away with only one point.

“Some of our players are playing at their top of the game at the moment and we were good to watch. Sam Griffin was pivotal in both goals and was excellent.

“All things considered, it was an excellent result. They say these things even themselves out so, hopefully, they will.”

Cuss had been forced into a late reshuffle after striker Mark Gamble had been taken ill with tonsillitis on the eve of the match.

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Costello, Maybury, Blake, Clarke, Holmes, Griffin, Kemble (Waters, h-t), Stokoe. Unused subs: Kellaway, Biles, Roast.