BOSS Matty Holmes had been happy to see Wimborne Town maintain their unbeaten home run after a 1-1 draw with league leaders Taunton.

An impressive crowd of 485 saw Magpies stretch to nine Southern League South games their record without defeat at KoolPak Stadium.

Striker Toby Holmes’s 72nd-minute strike had put the Cuthbury club ahead before they were pegged back by Taunton’s Oliver Chamberlain.

But manager Holmes was pleased to take a point from one of the league’s big guns, as Wimborne moved five points above the bottom three.

Only three teams have picked up more points at home than Magpies in the division this season – a statistic Holmes believes is crucial.

He told the Daily Echo: “Home form is huge at this level, we want to maintain it.

“With how our away form has been until the past few weeks. We need to get positive results in home games and, if you can pick up a few points on the road, it gives you a fighting chance.

“With the conditions on Saturday, it was difficult for both teams to try to pass the ball and get it moving. It was about commitment, endeavour, effort and character.

“In the second half we were against the elements and I thought we passed the ball out wide better.

“They were so strong and dangerous at whipping in balls with the wind and Gerard (Benfield) stayed strong and made a couple of really good saves.

“It was wonderful squad effort and I was delighted.

“In the past three seasons Taunton have not done the double over us. We don’t want to get beaten by anybody but they are top of the league for a reason and are a force. They will be up there at the end for sure.

“It was a great crowd again with more than 400 in that weather.”

After Ed Palmer’s powerful header had cannoned off the bar for the visitors in the opening period, Wimborne striker Toby Holmes broke the deadlock.

Luke Holmes’s crisp pass found Luke Burbidge, who played a perfectly-weighted through ball to Magpies’ leading marksman.

And the striker showed his class in front of goal by nutmegging goalkeeper Lloyd Irish before prodding into an empty net.

But the equaliser came for the visitors just five minutes later. Chamberlain headed home a cross from the left flank.

Taunton’s Matt Wright then saw his deflected effort clip the upright but the hosts held firm to pick up an important point.

Wimborne had been without midfielder Carl Pettefer for the encounter, who is on Tuesday set to undergo an operation on a broken thumb.

Matty Holmes added: “He was 50-50 whether he could play with his thumb but has to have an operation.

“He did it at Staines. I think the weight went back on it and it broke. Normally you can play and wrap it up but if he got another knock on it, it could cause serious damage.

“Seeing the X-ray, it’s all out of place so he will go in to get it fixed up and operated on – we are pleased it’s going to be done that quickly.

“We will be missing him for the next two to four weeks, which is a big blow.”

Magpies’ next test comes at home against second-placed Metropolitan Police on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Magpies: Benfield, Clarke, Lee, Davidson, Oldring, Francis (Owen, 86), Stokoe, Penny (Young, 80), T Holmes, Burbidge, L Holmes. Unused subs: Shepherd, Collins (g/k).