WIMBORNE Town boss Danny Holmes hailed the effort of stand-in linesman Dave Pritchard and joked: “He was one of the best officials we have had this season!”

Spectator Pritchard was called into action after just 33 minutes of Magpies’ 2-1 Southern League South home victory over Weston-super-Mare.

He stepped up after referee Iain Parsons was forced off through injury.

Holmes told Radio Wimborne: “Fair play to the bloke. I think he was one of the best officials we have had this season. I am only joking FA, before I get in trouble!

“When you don’t see them or hear them (the officials) then you know they are having a good game.

“He was tremendous. I’d hate to think what might have happened if he wouldn’t have turned up and done it. At least we got the 90 minutes done.”

Following the switch of officials, Sam Bayston put Wimborne ahead early in the second half, with a cool finish to cap off a slick counter-attack.

Weston’s Joel Randall looked to have netted the equaliser 12 minutes from time with a fierce drive home keeper Cameron Plain failed to keep out.

But Wimborne striker Tony Lee poked the ball home to win it for Magpies in stoppage time, after Luke Burbidge’s cross was headed back across goal by Bayston.

Holmes added: “It was a great result and a great team performance.

“This league is such a rollercoaster. If you are on top of a team you know they are going to have their moments, and vice versa.

“Emotionally it was unbelievable and it was a really exciting game.”