WIMBORNE Town assistant manager James Stokoe insists he had "no complaints" with the decision to send off defender Sam Davidson as the Magpies were held at home by Merthyr Town.

The game was locked at 0-0 when Davidson was shown a straight red card for sliding in on Owain Jones and that is how the game ended between the two mid-table Southern League South sides.

"I think it was a poor, mistimed tackle from Davo and I think it warranted the red card to be honest," Stokoe admitted to Radio Wimborne.

"Davo was actually facing us (on the bench) with the tackle and it looked like he was slightly off the ground and there was two feet, studs showing from where I was standing so I've got no complaints over the red card at all."

Wimborne struggled to create chances during the first half against the Martyrs and were pleased to go in at the break level after the visitors had struck the post and also seen a goal disallowed for a push on goalkeeper Cameron Plain.

Tony Lee and Sam Poole came closest for the Magpies, who began to find a foothold in the contest before Davidson's red card.

From there, Wimborne had to dig in and were thankful to some impressive stops by Cherries loanee Plain, before Jones also crashed a shot off the upright.

"I think they (Merthyr) had the majority of the first half, caused us quite a few problems in midfield with their movement and the front three with their movement as well," said Stokoe.

"I definitely think they had the better of the first half and we were happy to come in at half-time level.

"Second-half, there were periods especially early on before we went down to 10 men that it had levelled out and we were getting on the ascendancy a bit we felt, until the red card.

"Then it's just a case of seeing out the game, being professional in what we do and making sure we come away from the game with a point, which we did.

"You've got to hold your hands up and say Merthyr played really well."

Magpies: Plain, Penny, Wells, Davidson, Poole, Pettefer (Young, 58), Doe, Bayston (Byrne, 67), Lee, Burbidge, Diaz.

Unused subs: Stokoe, Shepherd, Phillips (g/k).