DANNY Holmes admits he would "like to forget pretty quick" the first half of Wimborne Town's defeat at Merthyr Town.

Magpies went down 3-1 in the Southern League South clash at Penydarren Park having conceded twice in the opening 15 minutes through Jarrad Wright and Ian Traylor strikes.

Joe Byrne reduced the arrears soon after the restart, but the win was sealed by the hosts at the death thanks to a Ryan Prosser finish.

"We weren't at the races in the first half, especially the first 15-20 minutes," boss Holmes told Radio Wimborne.

"It was the worst I've seen us defend.

"We were on the back foot, giving the ball away, being sloppy and they were getting in behind us. We got all our basics wrong.

"It was a first half I'd like to forget pretty quick.

"Hopefully it was just a one off."