CHRISTCHURCH goalkeeper Chris Edmonds played through the pain barrier during the whole of the second half against Wimborne Town on Saturday after sustaining a broken left hand.

Despite the pain, Edmonds produced an outstanding man-of-the-match performance as his side held Wessex League title hopefuls Wimborne to a 1-1 draw at Hurn Bridge.

And it might have been three points for Priory, as Edmonds' heroics between the sticks kept the visitors out until the 88th minute with Christchurch leading the match from early in the first half.

It was Christchurch who started the match the brighter, but the Magpies slowly came back into the game and then started to dominate.

With just eight minutes gone the home side could have taken the lead with the first real opportunity of the game, but Robbie Woolner's shot on the turn flew inches over the Magpies' crossbar.

Woolner went close again less than 60 seconds later but in the 17th minute Christchurch's persistence paid off with Woolner involved in the action again.

Woolner's right-foot shot was parried by Ross Elliott in the Wimborne goal, but the rebound fell nicely into the path of Andy Nicholas, who prodded home from two yards out.

The goal seemed to act as a wake-up call for the Magpies with their first serious effort on the Priory goal coming moments after they had fallen behind.

Paul Mitchell produced a terrific cross to the far post for Darren Powell to head narrowly over the crossbar.

Paul Rideout then cleared a Jason Lovell header from inside the Priory six-yard box, as Wimborne stepped up a gear in search of the equaliser.

Christchurch suffered a blow in the heart of their defence when Neil Massie, who returned to the Priory side in last week's mid-week match against league leaders AFC Totton, had to be taken off with a broken nose after an accidental clash with Lovell.

Deep into first-half stoppage time the home side almost doubled their lead on two quick successive occasions. Rideout pounced on a Nicholas cross only to see Elliott make a great save, and from the resultant corner ex-Magpie Phil Langdown's header was cleared off the line by Scott Cannie.

On the balance of the first half the visitors just shaded possession, but after the break that marginal difference between the two sides became an almighty chasm as the Magpies completely dominated the second period from start to finish.

Powell, Lovell, Mitchell, Mark Dancer and Kevin Gill all came close to levelling the match, as Wimborne looked to avenge Priory's shock 3-1 league victory at Cuthbury back in August.

Edmonds then began to turn on an excellent display in the Priory goal, firstly with a fine save from Lovell followed by a brave dive at the feet of Gill.

Edmonds then denied Stuart Cannie with another fine block, before producing a stunning save from a close range bullet-like Lovell header.

It was then Mitchell's turn to be thwarted by the confident Edmonds, who by this time seemed to be looking forward to each Wimborne sortie on his goal with almost arrogant defiance.

Lovell even attempted an overhead kick which was again saved by the Priory 'keeper, and moments later substitute Jamie Moore's cross seemed to be dipping under the crossbar before Edmonds came to the rescue again to tip the ball over the bar.

With just two minutes left it seemed cruel on Edmonds that the visitors should finally get their long-awaited equaliser, but it was a goal they richly deserved.

A corner was flicked on at the edge of the box by a defender, which enabled the ball to loop over the head of Edmonds and find its way to the head of Tony White at the far post who had the simplest of jobs as he nodded home from a yard out.

Magpies' substitute Aaron Turner should have volleyed a Wimborne winner in injury time, but his right foot volley on an open Christchurch goal flew over the top of the bar.

Priory: Edmonds, Herridge, Woodward, Langdown, Massie (Hallam 37), Hillyer, Fastmedge, Rideout (Butler 45), Nicholas, Woolner (Beverley 80), Gogan.

Magpies: Elliott, Plank, White, Powell, Stuart Cannie, Scott Cannie, Mitchell, Barham (Moores 64), Dancer, Lovell (Turner 87), Gill. Unused sub: Roast.