SIMON Browne watched brother Alex steal the family bragging rights, then tipped Wimborne Town to take the Wessex League title race down to the wire.

Simon’s struggling Hamworthy side slumped to a 1-0 home defeat against Alex’s fourth-placed Magpies, as the County Ground somehow managed to survive the freezing weather.

The visitors took the lead thanks to Kev James’s strike in first-half stoppage time, although Hammers had a late effort cleared off the line.

Simon Browne told the Echo: “It’s always disappointing to lose a game, regardless of our league position. I just want to get us out of the mire so it was disappointing to lose.

“Clearly they are one of the best two or three in the league.

“Alex has more than enough quality in his squad to go on a 10 or 11-game winning run.

“The top sides still have to play each other, though, so I think there will be more to happen yet before the season finishes.”

With injuries to Paul Roast and Dan Haysom, Alex Browne was forced to line up at centre-back for Magpies.

Simon added: “There was less banter than there would have been if we’d both been in the dug-out, but I bet he was aching in the morning!”

Hammers: Shergold, Antobus (Mekchiche, 50), Cherrett, Horlock, Jackson, Diaper, Barron, Merritt, Toghill, Crow, Swann. Unused subs: Roberts, Vavrecka, Dancer, Browne.

Magpies: Hutchings (Walker-Harris 28), Wilson, Lockyer, Browne, Walker, McCormick, Green, Stokoe, Joyce, Clarke (Whitcher, 78), James (Thomson, 89). Unused subs: Wyatt, Barnes • Only three games took place in the Wessex League due to Saturday’s freezing weather.