SCOTT Joyce made his eagerly-awaited return from injury but that was the only good news for Wimborne Town on Saturday.

Magpies fell to their fifth Southern League Division One South and West defeat in six matches as play-off hopefuls Thatcham Town ran out 4-1 winners at Cuthbury.

Sean Cook fired the visitors in front on 17 minutes before Magpies’ James Stokoe levelled two minutes later.

Tom Hunt hit the crossbar for Wimborne but Thatcham restored the lead after the break when Scott Rees struck from the penalty spot.

Cook bagged his second before Magpies’ spirits were lifted by the sight of Joyce, plagued by heel problems, stepping on to the pitch for the first time this season.

But the joy was short lived and Thatcham rounded off the scoring through Mark Hughes late on.

Magpies: Malara, Yelland, Cole, Roast, Frampton, Mitchell, Green, Stokoe, Barnes (Joyce, 74), Hunt (Lockyer, 82), Culliford. Unused subs: Lloyd, Wilson, Walker-Harris (g/k).

• In the Premier Division, Bashley earned an impressive 0-0 draw at high-flying Chesham.

The hosts, who have won 14 of their home matches and sit in the play-off places, saw their promotion hopes hit by Steve Riley’s side, who recorded a third consecutive clean sheet.

Both teams had their chances, with Mark Gamble and Ian Oliver going close for Bash, while Chesham’s Aaron Couch saw an effort cleared off the line and was also denied by David Elm.

Bash: Elm, R Hill, Oliver (Murray, 80), Middleton, Whitley, Knowles, Smith, Dom Allen, Dave Allen, Gamble, T Hill (Mason, 64). Unused subs: Ferrett, Brookes, Joe Prodomo (g/k).