A FINE volleyed equaliser from on-loan midfielder John Lamb earned Wimborne a point from their visit to high-flying Thatcham Town.

Lamb, borrowed from Weymouth, showed excellent technique to drill home a superb strike to convert Scott Arnold's cross following good work from Ollie Phillipson-Masters.

Wimborne had been unlucky to find themselves a goal down at half-time as defender Paul Roast's attempted block from a speculative shot wrong-footed goalkeeper Stewart Kearn to give Thatcham the lead.

But the Magpies hit back in style on the hour and could easily have gone on to win the game as Stuart Cannie had a couple of decent chances for a goal on his return to Wimborne while a Gareth Barnes header drifted agonisingly wide.

Magpies boss Paul Arnold said: "It was a good result but I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get the win in the end because we had enough chances.

"But I'd have taken a point before the game because Thatcham are in good form so it is a decent result for us."

Arnold was also pleased with the contribution of returning striker Cannie after his switch from Winchester City this week.

Although the striker was unable to get his name on the scoresheet, the Cuthbury chief believes Cannie will rediscover his form to add another potent threat to the forward line.

Arnold said: "Stuart looked a little bit rusty but that is understandable because he hasn't been playing that much. He certainly made a difference to us and it won't be long before he is back to what we know he can do."

The Wimborne manager also played down the threat of losing Gareth Barnes after Hamworthy's seven-day approach for the forward.

Arnold said: "Gareth is not interested in a move to Hamworthy - he is perfectly happy here. But it is a sign that we are doing things right if other teams are after our players."

Wimborne: Kearn, Phillipson-Masters, Dennis, White, Roast, Lamb, Arnold, Atkins, Oldbury, Barnes, Cannie. Unused subs: Coleman, Rigler, Doyle.