WIMBORNE'S slim hopes of clawing their way back to Southern League Premier safety were dealt a huge blow as they were hammered 4-0 at fellow relegation-battlers Kings Langley.

There were 11 points between the sides at kick-off, but the Magpies knew victory at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium would give them real hope, given they hold five games in hand on Saturday's hosts.

However, they faced an uphill struggle with Kings Langley racing into a 2-0 lead inside the first quarter of an hour, before netting twice more in the closing minutes of the contest.

James Stokoe handed a debut to Cherries youngster Tarik Gidaree, following his loan move this week, but there was disruption right from the warm-up. Callum Chugg pulled out injured, meaning Bouwe Bosma was called into the side, leaving Wimborne's bench light.

It soon went from bad to worse when striker Harrison Crawford picked out Eitel Goueth, who was tripped in the box. Up stepped Jamie Jellis to calmly convert the penalty.

Wimborne's first chance came from Dan Bartlett's right-wing corner. At the near post, Jez Bedford glanced it goalwards but goalkeeper Alfie Marriott was well-placed to catch his effort.

On 10 minutes, Kings bagged a second. Crawford battled his way to the byline before cutting back for Shaqai Forde to fire home.

Some sloppy defending from the hosts presented Magpies with some openings, but Lewis Beale could not make the most of them.

Connal Morrison also fired an effort wide, before Mark Jamison headed just off target.

Stokoe switched formation on the hour mark, introducing another Cherries loanee in Aaron Roberts, as well as Curtis Young soon after.

And the latter almost carved a route back into the contest, finding Harry Morgan, who shot over the bar.

The game was put to bed on 76 minutes when Goueth flicked on for Erin Amu to race clear and make no mistake.

Kings added a fourth at the death, with substitute Arel Amu on the spot to turn home after Gerard Benfield had saved Forde's initial effort.

Wimborne sit second from bottom of the table, 13 points behind the side directly above them, Dorchester Town.

Magpies: Benfield, Arnold, Bosma, Jamison, Morrison, Kellaway (Roberts, 62), Bartlett, Bedford, Morgan, Gidaree (Young, 70), Beale.

Unused sub: Chugg.

Attendance: 405.