POOLE Town needed penalties to overcome Wimborne Town and progress into the semi-finals of the Dorset Senior Cup after an eight-goal thriller at New Cuthbury.

Dolphins, who compete at a level higher than the Magpies in the Southern League pyramid, led 2-0 in the first half thanks to a Toby Holmes brace.

But the hosts battled back to level by half-time, with Lewis Beale and Harry Morgan both on target.

Youngster Cameron McMonagle looked to have settled the tie with five minutes to play in favour of Poole, only for Wimborne to force extra time with Beale bagging his second.

Former Dolphins winger Jez Bedford then put Wimborne ahead for the first time on the night, before ex-Magpies hitman Holmes sealed his hat-trick as the game ended 4-4.

Poole eventually emerged victorious 4-3 on spot-kicks, joining Weymouth, Shaftesbury Town and Dorchester Town in the last four.

Both managers shuffled their packs ahead of big league fixtures at the weekend, but there was still plenty of first-team experience on show.

Poole made a bright start with Will Fletcher twice going close, before striker partner Holmes made no mistake.

Minutes later, the same man was in the goals again, latching onto a long Jack Dickson ball and capitalising on a Scott Arnold error.

But back came Wimborne, scoring twice in a matter of moments to leave Poole shell-shocked.

First, Beale ran through after a long ball caught out the Dolphins defence, before Morgan acrobatically volleyed in an Oakley Hanger free-kick.

Poole were dealt a blow at half-time with Dickson forced off injured, with Tom Killick having to turn to his inexperienced bench and introduce McMonagle.

Fletcher and Holmes both missed good openings to put their side back in front, before Wes Fogden was denied by goalkeeper Shane Murphy.

Then, with five minutes to play, McMonagle made his impact felt, bagging his first senior Poole goal with a low strike from distance finding the bottom corner.

The crazy contest swung again as Kaya Tshaka teed up Beale to level it up.

After Fletcher had seen an effort tipped away, Bedford struck at the other end on 98 minutes. Fletcher then saw an effort cleared off the line in response, before Holmes levelled just before the end of the first period of extra time.

The hosts had to clear off the line again, this time to deny Declan Rose, while Jamie Whisken also saw a chance come and go as penalties beckoned.

Harry Hutchinson was the only man to miss for Poole with Holmes, Luke Pardoe, Fogden and Rose all on target, with Beale and Tshaka missing for Wimborne, as keeper Will Butler made a vital stop.

Magpies: Murphy, Hanger, Morrison, Wells, Arnold, Morgan, Beale, Tshaka, Kellaway, Roberts, Cocklin.

Subs: J Rose, Bartlett, Bedford, Baker, Taylor.

Dolphins: Butler, Hutchinson, Olumuyiwa, Whisken, D Rose, Moore, Pardoe, Dickson, Fogden, Holmes, Fletcher.

Subs: Hubbard, Brewster, McMonagle, Kerley, Dunlop.