MATTY Holmes expects goalkeeper Gerard Benfield to become the latest Wimborne Town player to attract interest after the Cuthbury club rejected offers for Luke Holmes.

The 19-year-old Benfield continued his fine form between the sticks when he made a stoppage-time penalty save in Magpies' dramatic 1-1 draw against visitors Didcot Town on Saturday.

Just days ago, Wimborne resisted an approach for under-contract ace Luke Holmes from another Southern South & West club – understood to be the second for the player in a matter of weeks – and boss Matty Holmes is bracing himself for further interest in his players.

The manager told the Daily Echo: "We've just had an offer for Luke come in from another club, which we turned down. Gerard will surely be the next.

"Gerard has been fantastic and a breath of fresh air. He has a huge career in front of him if he keeps his form going. I'd be surprised if no one was looking at him.

"His presence is enough to put any established penalty-taker off and he came up with a great save. He knew which way their lad was going and got there, and that shows his ability. He's a cracking keeper."

Reflecting further on the latest resisted bid for Luke Holmes, Matty Holmes added: "It's nice in a way that the club has been recognised with an offer for a player.

"We're getting great kudos for the way we are playing and people now know we've got some players.

"But we're in a situation where we don't want to sell. If people are going to offer proper money then you have to consider it but at the moment, we want to keep the squad together.

"The club and Luke felt it was not the right time to leave even though a money offer was put on the table."

Wimborne got their first point of the year following an eventful clash against Didcot which sparked into life in the closing minutes.

The hosts trailed to Sam Barder's first-half effort heading into stoppage-time but debutant Robinson Okumu, promoted to the first team from the development squad, made a telling impact from the bench.

Okumu nicked Jamie Davidson's through ball past former Swindon Town keeper Leigh Bedwell, before tapping into the empty net.

Further drama was to follow in the third minute of stoppage-time, when home skipper Billy Maybury was sent off for handball on the line.

Benfield kept out the resultant penalty and in the dying embers, Magpies survived another scare when the ball struck the frame of their goal.

Matty Holmes added: "Robinson has great pace and as the game went on, Sam Bayston was struggling with his ankle so it was the ideal opportunity to stick Robinson on and let him cause a threat.

"It paid dividends and it's great to give these young lads a chance."

Magpies: Benfield, Penny, Lovell, Maybury, S Davidson, Lowes, Kellaway, L Holmes, Cann, J Davidson, Bayston (Okumu, 59). Unused subs: O'Hare, Griggs, Walker-Harris (g/k).