MANAGER Matty Holmes rued a defensive mix-up which proved costly as Wimborne Town were beaten 1-0 by Cinderford Town on Tuesday.

The pivotal moment came just past the half hour mark at Cuthbury when a routine long ball was not dealt with by goalkeeper Gerard Benfield or centre-half Sam Davidson.

That allowed frontman Lewis Bamford the opportunity to run in and score what proved to be the winner, meaning Wimborne suffered their fifth league defeat of the campaign.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “It was our own mistake, which was really disappointing.

“They hit a long ball and there was a communication breakdown between our centre-half and goalkeeper.

“It was one of those things, they are both young lads.

“Hopefully, they will learn from it but that was the difference in the game.”

Asked what he said to the duo following the defeat, the Cuthbury boss replied: “The boys had a chance to discuss it between themselves. They were speaking about it as we went into the dressing room.

“I said to them ‘look, one or both of you had to deal with it’.

“Gerard takes things on board and he gets quite emotional because, as a young lad, he is passionate and wants to do well. He has been great for us.

“If Sam didn’t hear the shout, he had to deal with it and clear his lines.

“We do away give cheap goals to teams and that is what it is when you have quite a young side and you are playing against experienced teams week in, week out.”

Both midfielder Luke Holmes and striker Toby Holmes forced saves from Cinderford goalkeeper Cameron Clarke before Magpies fell behind.

Toby Holmes also came close to finding a leveller following the break before he was forced off with an ankle problem and replaced by Lee Francis.

On the game as a whole, the Wimborne manager added: “We didn’t start at the tempo I had wanted, to be honest.

“We asked the boys to move the ball quickly because we knew Cinderford would come and sit in.

“We grew into the game and, by the end of the first half, we were dominating.

“In the second half, they sat back and let us have the ball.

“I thought at times we were terrific.

“I think anyone watching would say that, at minimum, we should have got a draw.

“We put a lot of crosses in and we have to work on people arriving in the box better.

“We were competitive again and we weren’t bossed or outplayed at all.”

Magpies host Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

Magpies: Benfield, Penny (Cole, h-t), Maybury, Arnold, Davidson (Oldring, h-t), Kellaway, Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes (Francis, 75), Burbidge, Bayston. Unused subs: Walker, Lovell.