GOALKEEPER Gerard Benfield edged the man-of-the-match plaudits from goal machine Toby Holmes as Wimborne downed fellow high-fliers Salisbury 4-2 at Cuthbury today.

Benfield’s outstanding display helped restrict the most potent team in the division, especially as the hosts came under heavy attack during the second half.

The 20-year-old pulled off a string of fine saves – including two straight out of the top drawer – and also caught the eye with his impressive handling and distribution.

At the other end, master marksman Holmes smashed through the 50-goal barrier for the season by plundering a third hat-trick in his past five games.

Holmes got Wimborne back on level terms when he netted a hotly-disputed penalty before adding two typically-assured finishes in the second half.

A bullet header from Jake Wannell gave the Whites a 32nd-minute lead before Elliot Wheeler was judged to have handled Luke Burbidge’s effort on the stroke of half-time.

Their protests that the ball had struck his chest fell on deaf ears with Salisbury boss Steve Claridge and assistant Mick Jenkins both receiving a stern talking-to from referee Martin Bloor.

Although Charlie Searle guessed correctly, he was beaten by Holmes’s power before the prolific frontman fired them ahead when he finished calmly after Lee Francis had put him through seven minutes into the second half.

A rasping strike from Burbidge, who was teed up by Jack Lovell, made it 3-1 after 68 minutes before Benfield saved from point-blank range from Kane O’Keefe.

Owen Howe hooked home at the far post after Wimborne had failed to clear a corner in the 77th minute but Holmes had the final say and completed the scoring three minutes from time having been slipped in by Burbidge.

Victory, which followed Saturday’s disappointing 4-1 defeat at Bristol Manor Farm, propelled Magpies back to fourth place and guaranteed them their highest points return in the Southern League, eclipsing their total of 61 in 2014-15.

Magpies boss Matty Holmes told the Daily Echo: "Bristol Manor Farm are one of the strongest teams and possibly the best technically in the division.

"We had a few bodies missing and that was the first time in a long time we had looked a little weak and vulnerable.

"We asked the players to play with passion and desire today and they did. We were back to our old selves and I was really pleased.

"Teams have blips and you can't expect players to be machines. I was delighted with their attitude to the game.

"It could have been 2-2 within 15 minutes and must have been a great spectacle to watch as a neutral.

"I thought we were dangerous on the counter, which was what we had set up to do. We know they like to play and spread out so we had to get it tactically right, which the boys did.

"Toby has had another excellent season and has followed up last season’s good work.

"But I am sure he would be the first to say the players around him are the ones who slip the balls through and put him in the positions.

"His calmness and finishing are second to none.

"Gerard was unbelievable. He is progressing so well. We ask him to be brave and come for crosses to help us out.

"He is young and is still learning. His ball-striking is really good and two or three saves kept us in the game."

Asked about the penalty award, Holmes said: "I think we would have been upset about it as well. The referee was right by it and he felt the lad had blocked with his hand. I have seen them given and not given.

"Since I have been here, we have lost all three games against Salisbury and played so well so perhaps that was the little bit of luck we needed to get back in the game.

"They say you earn your own luck and I thought we did that today."

Magpies: Benfield, Maybury, Hester (Walker, 90), Oldring, Davidson, Kellaway, Stokoe, Francis, T Holmes (Bayston, 90), Burbidge, Lovell. Unused subs: Cole, Arnold, L Holmes.