MANAGER Steve Cuss refused to blame a pair of controversial penalty decisions for Wimborne Town’s 2-0 reverse at Mangotsfield United.

A first-half header from Lewis Powell and Neil Arndale’s 70th-minute penalty sank the Magpies at Cossham Street with visiting supporters aggrieved over a handball decision given against Ian Oliver which led to the spot-kick.

Wimborne also felt hard done by when substitute Jamie Davidson went down under the challenge of Mangos keeper Joe Perry in the penalty area late on but the Cuthbury boss insisted responsibility for the reverse lay firmly with the players.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “Their penalty was a hard one to judge. There was no doubt the ball had hit Ian’s hand but there was no intent on his part and we felt it would have been very difficult for him to get out of the way of it.

“Like many things in the modern game, it comes down to the referee’s interpretation. We felt it was a little harsh but to be honest, they had a few chances to score a second before that.

"Their keeper got away with one towards the end as well but we could not argue that either incident had swayed the result.

“It was a disappointing performance from us against an in-form side who have recruited well in recent weeks.

“The performance levels did not match our usual standards and we were second best on the day. We could have no complaints.”

Meanwhile, Cuss hopes to have influential Magpies midfielder Jon Blake back for next weekend’s home clash with Yate.

Blake is expected to return to training this week following a hamstring injury.

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Maybury, Oliver, Biles (Costello, 75), Clarke, Griffin (Kemble, 65), Stone, Holmes (Davidson, 65), Gamble, Stokoe.