Makeshift striker Paul Roast scored twice as Wimborne Town put the weekend's disappointment behind them to move seven points clear at the top of the Sydenhams Wessex League last night.

The Magpies showed no ill effects of losing their proud unbeaten league record at Newbury on Saturday, bouncing back to beat bottom club Downton 3-0 at Wick Lane.

"We went the whole of 2003 without losing an away game in the Wessex League, so it had to come to an end sometime," said Wimborne boss Paul Arnold.

"I said to the players afterwards that it was gone and there was nothing they could do about it. It was all about how they reacted against Downton."

Roast, who normally plies his trade as a defender, has been pushed up front in recent weeks to fill the void left by Stuart Cannie, who departed for disciplinary reasons.

He scored his first with a header from a terrific diagonal ball by Marcus Oldbury in the 25th minute and struck again five minutes from time, lashing home amid a goalmouth scramble.

Evergreen campaigner Jamie Sturgess was Wimborne's other scorer with a 35th-minute volley after Darren Powell had flicked on Mark Smith's corner.

Asked the secret of Wimborne's success, Arnold can guarantee that it isn't money. He said: "I reckon we pay the lowest wages in the top half of the league.

"What we have is good players with a great team spirit, who are very organised."

Many would also say they have an excellent manager, but Arnold said modestly: "You do your best for the players and hopefully they do their best for you."