BOSS Steve Cuss insists his Wimborne Town rookies are emerging stronger for their Southern League baptism of fire.

The Magpies manager is confident his team is improving and adapting to life in Division One South & West following another difficult campaign for the Cuthbury outfit.

Since succeeding Alex Browne in the Wimborne hot-seat, Cuss has experimented with a large number of players in a bid to establish a side capable of competing at step four level.

Lowly Magpies suffered a 3-1 away defeat against leaders Bideford on Saturday in the only match to survive the weather across the Southern League’s three divisions. The loss left Wimborne second from bottom with just three wins and 17 points from their 28 matches this season.

But Cuss believes Magpies are only a few players short of the squad he is looking to build.

He told the Echo: “What we are trying to do is find 16 to 18 players that are capable of playing in the Southern League and then keep them together.

“The 11 we have got, and they fight for their places, is not bad. But we need a little bit more strength in depth.

“A good bench is important at this level so we are, maybe, a couple short.”

Cuss was speaking following the 3-1 defeat at Kingsley Road – which owed much to a nightmare opening 35 minutes.

Trailing to a Matt Hockley penalty and Matt Andrew’s strike, Wimborne hit back with a spot kick from George Webb.

But Bideford scored again through Ian Sampson to secure the win.

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Cole, Roast (Taafe, 70), Peprah-Annan, Magookin (Mogg, 80), Ward (Cook, 55), Webb, Davidson, Kemble, Jeffes. Unused subs: Battison, Ackerman (g/k).