BOSS Steve Cuss admitted Merthyr Town's cutting edge had proved the difference after watching his Wimborne Town side slip to a fourth straight defeat.

Jarrad Wright put the Southern South & West leaders in front just after the half hour mark and Kayne McLaggon made sure of victory midway through the second period.

While pleased with certain aspects of the Wimborne display, Cuss said Merthyr's finishing prowess had rendered them worthy winners at Cuthbury.

He told the Daily Echo: “We had spells in the game where we did reasonably well but during those spells you need to score and that didn't happen.

“Once they got the first goal it gave them a real foothold in the game and they controlled it from that point onwards.

“They did not have an abundance of chances but they were more clinical than us. They had good spells during the game and they scored during those spells. That was the difference.

“There were no complaints about the result. Merthyr look a really good side with loads of experience which I think will be valuable for them as they progress through the season.

“I'm not certain that they are going to get top spot but they are certainly going to be around the top spot and play-off area.

“I think they showed their quality and it was too much for us.”

Without a league win since December 6, Wimborne have dropped to 12th in the league standings.

However, Cuss insisted he was unconcerned and said the club was on an upward curve.

He added: “Without it sounding like we're settling to be where we are, for us to be competing with the likes of Merthyr and holding our own in the Southern League shows we've come a long way in a relatively short space of time.

“We look at the bigger picture and say that we are heading in the right direction.

“We went on a terrific run of nine wins out of 10 and now we have lost four in a row but for me nothing changes whether we win or lose.

“We will head back out on the training pitch and work hard and get ready for the next game.

“We're disappointed that we haven't picked up any points over the last few games but games come thick and fast over the Christmas period so, hopefully, we can get some points.”

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Brimson, Maybury, Costello, Blake, Griffin (Waters, 65), Davidson, Kemble (Webb, 65), Gamble, Stokoe. Unused subs: Biles, Lupton, Field (g/k).