WIMBORNE Town overcame local rivals Poole Town on penalties to advance in the Southern League Cup.

With the competition low down the priorities of promotion-chasing Poole and relegation-battlers Wimborne, both sides named youthful line-ups, leading to an absorbing fixture in front of a healthy crowd of 509 at New Cuthbury.

Poole opened the scoring through a well-placed Luke Burbidge strike after 11 minutes, but the hosts responded instantly through Jake Carswell.

Carswell harassed the Poole defence, allowing the winger to regain possession in Poole’s box and slot past William Butler to equalise just a minute after the opener.

Wimborne continued to test the Poole defence, but their next goal was to come from another mistake from the away side. Will Fletcher clearly handled in the box, allowing Jamie Henry to give Magpies the lead from the spot.

An early second-half equaliser for Poole via a Louis MacArthur header indicated that Dolphins would go on to win, but despite the dominance in the last 45 minutes, Poole could not find a way through – meaning the tie finished 2-2 and had to be settled via spot-kicks.

First-teamers Jez Bedford and Burbidge missed spot-kicks for Poole, meaning the Magpies advanced 5-4 winners from the shootout.

After the tie Poole boss Tom Killick was left disappointed, stating: “We dominated the game. The second half, we were so much better than them, and the young lads deserved another game.

“That’s why I’m gutted. The young lads have put in a performance that deserves to see them through the next round.

“I would have loved to have had another opportunity of having another game with them, because their superiority in the second half was so significant.

“I was so surprised – Wimborne started bringing on more senior players, and we became more dominant.

“I am so proud.”

Poole: Butler, Rose, Forbes (Rossiter, 72), Hutchinson, MacArthur, Stanners, Hubbard (Mayo, 72), Bedford, Wickham (Chalwell, 87), Burbidge, Fletcher.

Unused subs: Holmes, Stephenson

Wimborne: Cull, Hanratty (Maybury, 59), Bragg (Scorey, 76), Jamison, Carswell, Henry, Mason, Chipangura, Smith, McWilliams, Sinclair (Young, 85)

Unused subs: Langdon, Chugg.