DANNY Holmes believes Wimborne match-winner Aidan Shepherd is "becoming a man" after his loan spell at Shaftesbury.

The youngster was recalled from the Wessex Premier side for Magpies' Southern League South trip to Harrow Borough on Saturday and came off the bench to net the game's only goal on 69 minutes, shortly after being introduced.

"For Aidan, we know what he's got in abundance," boss Holmes told Radio Wimborne.

"He's big, he's strong, he scores goals. I brought him back from Shaftesbury, he's scoring goals for Shaftesbury. I brought him in on Saturday and I felt Tony (Lee) was huffing and puffing up there so it was just to get some fresh impetus.

"A couple of minutes (later), a good touch and what a goal it was. It was stuck under his feet it seemed but he bypassed one of their defenders and it's gone in the corner.

"I'm really pleased for that boy because I've got high hopes for him.

"Having a while at Shaftesbury playing men's football, he's starting to see all the elements of the game and he's becoming a man now. I'm really pleased."

Holmes was also keen to praise the back-line after closing out the 1-0 win.

"I felt the boys defended fantastically," he said.

"The back four were absolutely brilliant. What's lovely is to get a clean sheet."