MATTY Holmes felt an “awful” playing surface had “ruined” Wimborne Town’s 1-1 draw with AFC Totton at Testwood Stadium.

Callum Chugg’s late equaliser cancelled out Matty Oldring’s first-half opener as the play-off chasing Magpies slipped to fourth in Southern League West.

Both teams had struggled to string together meaningful passing moves on a bobbly pitch, with few clear chances created throughout the 90 minutes.

Boss Holmes told the Daily Echo: “The pitch was awful and I felt sorry for the supporters because it wasn’t a spectacle at all.

“Both teams can play good football but the pitch ruined it and it was a shame. But you have to deal with the conditions and get on with it.

“I didn’t enjoy it. You want to watch the boys play football and express themselves but it was a battle.

“It was about hooking the ball forward and hoping Toby Holmes got in or that one of the two Lukes did a bit of magic when they got in the final third.

“I like it when we play football and entertain and I did feel sorry for the crowd, I must admit.”

Totton started the brighter and frontman Nathaniel Sherborne arrowed a header narrowly over the bar in the 14th minute.

But it was the visitors who took the lead midway through the first half, Luke Burbidge sending in a free-kick from the right which ex-Stags defender Oldring nodded home from close range.

Luke Holmes attempted to double the advantage but thumped a fizzing strike past the post following patient build-up play.

Magpies suffered a body blow when Sam Davidson was forced off with a hamstring injury just before the break.

Some 20 minutes after the restart, Toby Holmes forced the first save of any sort when Shane Murphy collected his shot at the second attempt.

Oldring then went in search of his second goal, only for his firm header from Burbidge’s free-kick to be tipped to safety by Murphy.

Wimborne had a lucky escape when Tobi Adenkunle broke free down the left and pulled back for Sherborne, who scuffed wide.

But the visitors’ luck run out in the 85th minute. Adekunle’s deep corner found Chugg and the centre-half headed crisply into the net.

Either team could have won it in a frantic finale but Magpies keeper Gerard Benfield saved well from Sherborne before James Stokoe’s header drifted wide.

Salisbury’s 2-1 win over Didcot Town meant they secured automatic promotion alongside champions Taunton Town.

That leaves Wimborne to fight it out with a clutch of teams to secure one of the four play-off spots.

Davidson looks set to be sidelined for Tuesday’s crucial home clash with Paulton Rovers, while Ben Walker is also due to miss out.

Magpies: Benfield, Maybury, Hester, Davidson (Penny, 44), Oldring, Kellaway, Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes, Burbidge (Francis, 86), Lovell. Unused subs: Arnold, Cole, Bayston.