COACH Shane Traynor insisted nine-man Wimborne Town had plenty to be proud of despite a galling 2-1 defeat at Mangotsfield United.

Lewis Powell's double was enough to render Carl Preston's effort meaningless in a Cossham Street clash which saw Billy Lowes and Sam Davidson dismissed in the second half, while Magpies assistant Danny Holmes was sent to the stands.

Traynor told the Daily Echo: "We were absolutely on top of the game when we were down to 10 men.

"Even when we went down to nine, we could not fault the players' efforts. We dominated the game with fewer players. It summed it up that they gave their goalkeeper the man-of-the-match award.

"The players gave everything and we couldn't have asked for any more. We had a gameplan and stuck by it. We were proud of them because of their effort and commitment and the way we played.

"We could have won it, or got a minimum of a point, were it not for their keeper making three outstanding saves in the final 10 minutes.

"It was a good game, it wasn't a dirty or a nasty game. Both teams were trying to play and, unfortunately, things spoiled it."

Magpies nearly fell behind 10 minutes in when Powell seemed destined to convert, only for keeper Gerard Benfield to tip the ball on to the bar.

Powell made no mistake just short of the half hour mark when he tucked away Ryan Bath's low cross, although Wimborne felt Stef Penny had been fouled in the build up.

Lowes was given his second yellow card early in the second half and Powell swiftly increased the hosts' lead from close range.

Wimborne pulled one back with 12 minutes left when Preston slotted past stopper Steve Phillips following good work by Louis Kellaway.

However, the home side suffered a further body blow when Davidson was cautioned for a second time by referee Stephen Oakey for his part in a melee after Luke Holmes had been fouled.

Billy Maybury, Kellaway and Toby Holmes all tried their luck in added time, to no avail.

Reflecting on Lowes's dismissal, Traynor added: "Billy won the ball fair and square. We were surprised so there was a bit of frustration there. It wasn't anything malicious.

"Their lad went over screaming and Billy said he had not touched him. Unfortunately, the referee deemed it a second yellow card."

Magpies: Benfield, Walker (Preston, 63), Penny (Hartley, 78), Maybury, S Davidson, Lowes, Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes, Cann (Kellaway, 72), Lovell. Unused subs: J Davidson, Walker-Harris (g/k).