WIMBORNE Town’s spirited display against higher-league opposition was for naught as their FA Cup run ended with a 3-0 defeat at home to Torquay United.

A bumper crowd of 1,852 watched on at New Cuthbury as first-half goals from Brett McGavin and Jack Stobbs was added to late on by Tom Lapslie.

35 places separated the two sides in the pyramid heading into the fixture, with Magpies manager Tim Sills a legendary figure at Torquay for his goal-scoring stint in Devon.

Oakley Hanger missed out after picking up a two-match ban in the defeat to Exmouth last time out, Ben Scorey coming in as an enforced swap.

The only other change from the FA Trophy exit was Billy Walker making way for Sam Roberts at the back.

New loan signings Josh Carmichael and Remy Rees-Dottin were named on the bench following their arrivals from AFC Totton and Cherries respectively.

It was almost a dream start for the hosts as a persistent Jez Bedford managed to flick a dangerous effort goalwards, goalkeeper Rhys Lovett managing to flick the shot just past his far post.

The resultant corner also produced a scare for the away side, Wimborne unable to convert the opportunity.

Torquay had early chances of their own. Former Weymouth man Brad Ash could have sworn he had scored when his powerful effort cannoned off the bar, but any debate over a possible goal was made moot when the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

But it would not be too long before the higher-ranked opposition would take a lead.

A corner for the Gulls was recycled back into the box, before being laid off for McGavin to place behind the reach of Bert White and into the far corner.

Minutes later, it would be two.

Torquay broke free on the counter, Stobbs allowed time and space to find an effort to beat White.

Behind by two goals after just 20 minutes, Magpies did not wilt.

Matty Neale saw a deflected effort force Lovett into a low save at the far post, before Sam Jackson’s flick at a corner found Jack Lovell unmarked at the back post, the attacker unable to apply the finishing touch.

The hosts believed they should have had a penalty when Harry Baker was felled inside the area, match official Steven Hughes ignoring the appeals.

At the start of the second period, Neale pickpocketed Torquay defender Ollie Tomlinson, allowing the Wimborne midfielder to bear down on goal.

However, his effort intended for the far corner flew wide and let the National South outfit off.

Scorey delivered a tempting ball across the face of the Torquay goal but Neale again could not find the correct finish, blasting over Wimborne’s best chance of the game so far.

Beale’s free kick from out on the right wing produced another near miss, a Torquay defender sending Connor Cocklin’s header just past the far post with a deflection.

At the other end Aaron Jarvis missed a gilt-edged opportunity to seal the result with the Gulls’ third, stabbing wide with the goal at his mercy.

Harry Morgan came off the bench for his first appearance of the season following a lengthy absence due to injury.

But his return lasted seconds, after a collision with Jarvis saw both players unable to continue.

As he was Wimborne’s third and final substitute, Magpies had to play out the remaining 20 minutes with 10 men.

Magpies still did not give up. Bedford’s deflected effort looped just over the bar, before Lovett made a fine stop to deny Jackson at the resultant corner.

The away side had limited chances in the final 45 minutes, but they sealed the result off in the closing stages when Lapslie’s deflected effort drifted into the back of the net. 

An offside flag denied Stobbs a second and Torquay their fourth, before sub Lewis Collins smacked the crossbar.

In the end Magpies were felled at the third hurdle after beating Paulton Rovers and Tiverton Town.

Magpies: White, Scorey (Morgan, 68), Cocklin, Roberts, Jackson; Neale, Bedford, Satterley, Lovell (Carmichael, h-t); Beale (Rees-Dottin, 62), Baker.

Unused subs: Flitney (g/k), Walker, Arnold.

Torquay: Lovett, Lapslie, Marshall, Hanson (Donnellan, 74), Jarvis (Pearce, 72), Ash (Collins, 62), McGavin, Jenkins Davies, Moxey, Tomlinson, Stubbs.

Unused subs: Halstead (g/k), Martin, De Silva, Thomas.