MATTY Holmes admitted goalkeeper Gerard Benfield’s heroics in Wimborne Town’s FA Trophy win had left him pondering “one of my biggest decisions as a manager”.

Benfield capped an assured display by pulling off a stunning save in the dying seconds as Magpies triumphed 2-1 at AFC Totton in a preliminary round replay on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old clawed away Dave Allen’s bullet header from point-blank range, one of a number of important stops as Magpies booked a trip to Tiverton in first round qualifying later this month.

Benfield, who also thwarted Mike Gosney on three occasions in the first half, was called into action in the FA Trophy after Wimborne had failed to meet the registration deadline for Cherries loan star Pat O’Flaherty.

And boss Holmes conceded Benfield’s exploits had given him a selection dilemma ahead of Magpies’ eagerly-awaited clash with Southern League Division One South & West title favourites Hereford at Cuthbury on Saturday.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “Pat is available for Saturday and the next round of the FA Trophy but it is a big decision, one of my biggest as a manager, whether Gerard stays in or he comes back. But that’s what you want with a squad.

“The save at the end was fantastic and stopped the tie going to extra-time.

“Gerard has been fantastic for us. He came from Hamworthy United where he played a few games in the Wessex League. He has been playing in our development squad but we sent him on loan to get some games and that benefited him.

“It’s a tough one. He has been fantastic in the two games against AFC Totton but he knows Pat is here until Christmas and is a pro at AFC Bournemouth.

“Gerard knew it would be a development season for him when he came here and it would be great if he could get some games.

“We will nurture and look after him and, the way he is performing, he will be Wimborne’s number one because, hopefully, Pat is going to go on to bigger and better things in his career as a pro.”

While Benfield took centre stage at one end, Jamie Davidson played a starring role at the other as Wimborne deservedly progressed and pocketed £2,500 in prize money.

Davidson’s sumptuous free-kick gave Magpies a 17th-minute lead before the frontman swept home a Toby Holmes cross to settle the tie after the break. His finely-taken double sandwiched Mike Gosney’s unstoppable free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Holmes added: “I was pleased with the boys in the first game on Saturday but felt we didn’t take our chances and it was nearly a similar story in the reply.

“I felt we dominated possession throughout. Totton have some good players and there was the odd dangerous moment but we managed to see it through and I was delighted with the boys.”

Magpies: Benfield, Walker, Hester, Arnold, S Davidson, Kellaway, Maybury (Lovell, h-t), Lanahan, T Holmes (Cooper, 89), J Davidson, Penny. Unused sub: Prior.