THE battered sign at the entrance reads 'Welcome To Moneyfields'. After a look at the playing surface, it may as well have read 'Welcome To The Minefields.'

On a pitch that Worzel Gummidge would have been keen to keep a watchful eye on, the Magpies managed to do exactly what was asked of them by boss Paul Arnold: Get in, get the result, and get out.

There's something about this little corner of Portsmouth that gives off an aura of aggression, the ground being squeezed in between the terraced houses and chimney pots on one side, and the railway tracks on the other. When you go to Moneyfields the job description is simple - battle and scrap for everything and grind out a result.

In doing just that, Magpies managed to take all three points in a game where the difference between the two halves of football was about as big as my waistline, and I'm no Kylie Minogue.

In truth, the first half was the most forgetful 45 minutes of football you could ever wish to see, with chances at a premium on both sides.

If the first half was dull, the second half could only be described as riveting. Garreth Barnes went close in the 57th minute after a sublime pass from the evergreen Jamie Sturgess, but it was the opening goal just a minute later that confirmed the Magpies are getting closer to the free-flowing football that was a trademark of their game last season.

In a move started by Andy Barham fully 40 yards out, Magpies swept forward via Marcus Oldbury, Mark Smith and Barham again, the ball finally finding its way to Guy Dipper on the edge of the box.

Dipper met the ball on the volley and fired in an unstoppable shot that was as technically good as you will ever see anywhere.

The hosts then battled back and the game was on a knife edge until, following a corner from the ever combative Stewart Cannie in the 75th minute, Paul Roast was left all alone five yards out to notch number two with a powerful header.

Moneyfields then got one back from the penalty spot four minutes later after what can only be described as another woeful refereeing decision. The ball appeared to strike Darren Powell on the back, and the wry smiles across the faces of the home dugout said all that was necessary.

Magpies then had to weather a nerve-wracking final ten minutes, but managed to hang on to make it two wins out of three.

Wimborne Town: Kearn, Parkin, Sturgess, Powell, Roast, Barham (Sc Cannie 84), Oldbury, Smith, Barnes (Doyle 88), St Cannie, Dipper, Unused sub: Phillipson-Masters.