WIMBORNE Town skipper Scott Arnold was left grinning like a Cheshire cat – despite fracturing his cheekbone in their FA Cup victory over Witheridge at Cuthbury.

Arnold sustained the injury during a collision with team-mate Ian Oliver three minutes into the second half of their 3-2 win over the South West Peninsula outfit from Devon.

He required lengthy treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and taken to hospital where X-rays revealed the full extent of the damage.

Arnold was told he would need surgery, including having a metal plate inserted in the side of his face, and is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks.

“I picked the lad with the biggest head!” joked Arnold. “It was so painful and I knew something was wrong as soon as I put my hand to my face.

“All the staff, players and physios were brilliant. I was more gutted about missing the rest of the game but it put a smile on my face when I found out we had won. All I could do was grin!”

Wimborne, bidding to reach the second qualifying round for the first time since 2003, made heavy weather of seeing off opponents from two levels below them.

Leading scorer Mark Gamble cancelled out Mike Humphreys’s early opener for the visitors before Witheridge again took the lead through Jack Langford.

However, the Magpies regrouped following the loss of Arnold and Carl Preston’s 20-yarder put them back on level terms six minutes into the second half before Gamble’s 70th-minute header sealed victory.

Victory earned Wimborne a home draw in the second qualifying round against Wessex Premier Blackfield & Langley with the tie to take place on Saturday week.