FIRST-TEAM coach Shane Traynor saluted the resolve of his Wimborne Town charges after Scott Arnold sustained a painful knee injury.

Magpies’ talismanic captain was stretchered off after just nine minutes against Tiverton Town with the score goalless at KoolPak Stadium.

But second-half strikes from Toby Holmes and Luke Burbidge ensured Magpies made it five home Southern League South victories on the spin with a 2-1 triumph.

Wimborne are set to wait on further assessment of stalwart Arnold’s injury, which is thought to be serious.

Traynor told the Daily Echo: “With an injury like that, it’s always worrying because you just don’t know how it acts on certain players.

“It was a collision with our own player. One of their players was just about to pull the trigger on the edge of the box and both Arnie and Matt Oldring went to block it – there were three of them who came in together.

“We have been asking the players to put their bodies on the line and unfortunately Arnie got hurt. There was nothing in it, it was just a case of going for the same ball.

“We are still unsure as to the extent of the injury. He has had an x-ray but we won’t know until it calms down a bit.

“Arnie is a big character and is fantastic around all the lads in the changing room. On the pitch he is a key figure and is going to be a big miss.

“We all wish him well and hope it’s not as serious as we all think. Hopefully, he will be okay.”

With Arnold awaiting the arrival of an ambulance, Wimborne took the lead after 49 minutes.

After Billy Maybury’s free-kick forced a sublime save from visiting keeper Liam Armstrong, Luke Holmes’ cross to the far post was headed in by Toby Holmes from the resultant corner.

And Magpies doubled their advantage three minutes from time thanks to a stunning solo effort from Burbidge.

He charged at goal having picked up the ball inside the final third and slotted home after beating two defenders.

Josh Wadham pulled back a late consolation for Tivvy but it was not enough to prevent Wimborne recording their sixth league win of the campaign.

Traynor added: “It was always in your mind at half-time as to how we were going to react knowing Arnie had got injured – and he was there at the time waiting for the ambulance.

“The lads regrouped. They took it upon themselves to go out there, try to win the game and try to play the best they could for Arnie.

“I think we did really well and deserved it. We played some really good stuff, the tempo was good and it just seemed our day.

“Tiverton are going to be up there this season. You can see they are a good outfit and have some really experienced players.

“It was a massive win because, when we have played against these top sides, we have matched them. It has only been the odd goal we have fallen short with.

"We haven’t really been battered and that’s five on the bounce at home now and KoolPak Stadium is a bit of a fortress – we want to keep it that way.”

The Cuthbury club are now 15th in the table with 19 points from 17 games. They visit Wessex League Shaftesbury in the last eight of the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday.

Magpies: Benfield, Penny, Hester, Arnold (Francis, 9), Oldring, Clarke, Davidson, L Holmes, T Holmes (Flynn 87), Burbidge, Maybury. Unused subs: Young, Lee, Collins (g/k).