WIMBORNE TOWN 1 BISHOP'S CLEEVE 1

THE ten men of Wimborne Town hit back to claim a much-needed point and frustrate Bishop's Cleeve's play-off hopes.

Cleeve led at the break after a strike from player-manager Alex Sykes, but they will be left to rue chances that got away at The Cuthberry Ground.

The Villagers' best chance to win the game came in the second period when Wimborne goalkeeper Jason Harvell was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

That came with the concession of a penalty kick, which unfortunately for Sykes' men was missed by Mike Tambling.

Tambling's woe was compounded with just five minutes of the game remaining when the hosts hit-back to level with ten men.

After an even first period Sykes gave his side the lead with a neat angled volley after Lee Smith had headed him through on goal.

Shortly after the break Tambling had his chance when Harvell was sent off, but the former Gloucester City man's penalty kick was too close to replacement goalkeeper Dean Ackeman who saved and gathered the rebound.

And his misery was complete when with just four minutes remaining, and following a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, Greg Taafe broke clear to fire an equaliser past Jimmy Nortei.

Cleeve return to action tomorrow evening with another trip south, this time to Devon to face mid-table Tiverton Town (7.45pm).