WIMBORNE Town boss Alex Browne urged his players to “keep believing” ahead of their meeting with Cuthbury legend Alex Pike.

Magpies will be aiming to continue their encouraging form when they entertain former favourite Pike and his Gosport Borough side tomorrow (3pm).

Following a dreadful run of defeats, Browne’s men have picked up two wins in three and only lost to a late goal against play-off chasing Hungerford on Tuesday night.

Gosport are likely to be difficult opposition as they sit seventh in the Division One South and West table. But Browne has faith in his team and thinks they are getting better after finally emerging from the slump that saw them sink into the relegation mire.

He said: “Results are always going to improve the mood of the camp and I am pleased for the players. They deserve it and were unlucky on Tuesday night and have got to keep believing. We’re not a million miles away and are learning all the time. Hopefully, we will pick up more points.”

Wimborne have experienced mixed fortunes against Boro this term, knocking them out of the FA Trophy before losing 3-2 in a league meeting at Privett Park.

Pike is guaranteed a warm reception at his old club, having guided them to FA Vase glory in 1992. He was last season linked with replacing Browne in the Cuthbury hot-seat, something the Magpies boss discovered when listening to the radio on his way home from a game.

But Browne played down Pike’s latest return by labelling it “just another game”.

Sam Lockyer is struggling to overcome an ankle problem, while James Stokoe is suspended.

Magpies: (from) Malara, Yelland, Cole, Frampton, Lloyd, Curtis, Culliford, Green, Hunt, Allen, Roast, Chudy, James, Wilson, Lockyer, Walker-Harris.