BOSS Simon Browne was left to rue the thin line between success and failure after Wimborne Town suffered a contentious 1-0 defeat to Evesham United in Southern South & West.

The visitors forged in front early on when Lewis Binns tapped home a cross from the right by Jacob Sloggett after the ball had crept past keeper Shane Murphy.

Evesham’s Adam Mann hit the post in the second half before a close-range shot from Magpies’ Mark Ford appeared to be blocked by keeper Kevin Sawyer behind the line – but the goal was not given.

The controversy came just four days after the Wimborne camp had insisted that a Totton effort had not crossed the line in a 5-2 defeat at Cuthbury, with their pleas unsuccessful.

And Browne admitted to his disappointment following another close call.

He said: “We were on the wrong side of a poor decision on Tuesday and then on Saturday we had what we thought was a perfectly good goal chalked off.

“The linesman said he hadn’t seen it but we’ve got video evidence to confirm it, plus the Evesham goalkeeper and the supporters down that end said the ball was over the line.

“That would have got us back in the game so I’m a little bit disappointed.

“I spoke to the referee and linesman afterwards and they said they couldn’t have been sure.

“They should have been in a better position to see the incident. Ultimately, it cost us a point.”

Browne, who handed debuts to Portsmouth youngsters Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kaleem Haitham, admitted that falling behind in the early stages had presented his side with an uphill task.

He added: “I thought we were the better side in the second half but unfortunately we conceded early in the game which has been occurring too often.

“We showed a little bit of character but the reality of football at this level is that you can’t give sides a lead.

“We are a young side and seem to be playing against sides with a lot more experience and nous than us and they are making sure they don’t concede.”

Reflecting on the displays of loan midfielders Oxlade-Chamberlain and Haitham, the boss continued: “They got better and better as the game went on. Clearly, they have a little bit of quality about them.

“Christian showed some really nice touches and made a couple of surging runs. I think he is going to be an asset for us.

“Kaleem showed some nice touches, got into some nice areas and had a couple of shots so there is more to come from him as well.”

Magpies: Murphy, Randall, Johnson (Murray, 34), Arnold, Maybury, Blake, Haitham (Old, 80), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Stokoe, Ford, Preston. Unused subs: Waters, Turner, Kellaway.