MATTY Holmes described as “crazy” the turnaround in Wimborne Town’s season to avoid relegation through improved defensive solidity.

Magpies held on for a goalless draw with 10 men against Chesham to finish three points clear of the drop-zone in their first campaign in Southern League South.

Sam Davidson saw red at KoolPak Stadium in the 54th minute for dissent to the referee but Wimborne secured the point needed to make results elsewhere irrelevant.

Holmes’s men delivered three clean sheets in their final four matches after seven shut-outs in their previous 38 league fixtures.

He told the Daily Echo: “It is crazy how it goes. The form we showed early season was inconsistent because we conceded too many goals, then we go into our last four games and don’t concede from open play – just the penalty against Gosport.

“It is the defensive foundation and gritting in to get the results which has got us over the line. Saturday epitomised it with Sam getting sent off and we had to defend deep.

“We broke away a couple of times and could have nicked it but in the last four matches when the pressure has been on I have been delighted with the defensive performances.”