Wimborne twice came from behind to equalise through Matty Burrows in the first-half and Jack Lovell in the second, but were unable to convert their dominance in the final phase of the game into the three points they probably deserved.

Manager Sills made five changes to his starting line-up: Ben Rodwell in goal, Drew Eccott-Young at right-back, Ben Scorey in midfield, and Jack Lovell and Cameron Munn further forward.

It was nip and tuck for the first 15 minutes. Harry Morgan had the first shot of the game after seven minutes, and The Magpies forced two early corners. Billy Walker made a towering header and Harvey Wright a crucial tackle in the area before The Geordies took the lead on 18 minutes. A cross-field pass from the right fell to Waight to the left of the goal area, he controlled the ball before rifling it into the far corner from 12 yards. And for the next 10 minutes the hosts spread the ball from side to side, and back again, with confidence. Ben Rodwell was well-positioned to save a 30-yard free-kick, and later saved a snap-shot.

But gradually Wimborne shrugged off that early set-back. Matty Burrows made a run and cross down the right; Jack Lovell charged for the by-line down the left; Will Fletcher was beaten in a foot race with keeper Beasant; Burrows and Eccott-Young combined wide on the right; Morgan’s shot was blocked; and Sam Jackson’s header into the danger area from a Burrows’ free-kick was scrambled away. Whenever the visitors played the ball into the danger area, defenders gave no time for attackers to settle and shoot – it was basic, no-nonsense defending. However, that changed in the 2nd of the two minutes of time added-on by referee Olhausen at the end of the half. Jackson’s throw-in from the left deep into Hanwell’s territory ended up at the feet of Burrows in the “D”. He controlled the ball, looked up, and passed it into the corner of the net beating the despairing dive of the tall shot-stopper.

The second-half started brightly. In the first minute, Eccott-Young found Burrows who shot wide; Rodwell saved Hanwell’s first shot of the half from 25 yards; Walker was again at the heart of the action in defending a free-kick; Eccott-Young hit more crosses into the penalty area; and skipper Jackson’s volley from a Burrows’ free-kick was bravely blocked. But then, at the mid-point of the half, Hanwell scored again. Rodwell saved Pendlebury’s turn and shot from 10 yards with his legs. But when the resulting corner was delivered high into the goal area, the tall Hall jumped highest to send a thumping header into the net. Once more The Geordies were full of confidence, and seemed to be winning all the second balls.

But as in the first period, The Magpies gathered themselves and worked back into the game. Burrows’ central effort went wide before his colleagues produced the move of the game to draw level for a second time on 77 minutes. Cam Munn, who was having an effective game in midfield, won the ball and poked it to Matt Neale. Neale spotted the run of Lovell and slid an inch-perfect pass down the inside-left channel for the striker to score with aplomb past the advancing keeper. It was that touch of quality that has been missing in recent games.

And for the rest of normal time, and the five additional minutes, momentum was with the visitors. Neale’s free-kick fell to Wright whose blast was bravely saved; Eccott-Young’s driven cross was scrambled away; Jackson’s long ball for Toby Holmes was just cut-out; and Munn’s goal-bound close-range shot from Burrows’ pull-back hit Holmes before spinning wide.

Given our away form this season, this was a good point against an in-form team sitting in the top half of the table. Credit to the defence and midfield for keeping danger man Edwards quiet, and how good to see the long-awaited return of Drew Eccott-Young. For the third match running we had the better of the stats – all we have to do now is to turn that into goals – simples!

I can’t complete my report without mentioning what a pleasure it was to make our first-ever visit to Hanwell. The ground was wonderful, full of character and charm, the playing surface was very good for this time of year, the local supporters and officials were welcoming and friendly, and gave Wimborne’s players, staff and supporters a round of applause as they left the clubhouse. This was the best of non-league football.

Wimborne: Rodwell, Eccott-Young, Walker (Roberts 80), Wright, Jackson, Scorey, Morgan (Neale 72), Lovell, Burrows, Munn, Fletcher (Holmes 72)

Unused subs: Bedford, Biss 

Attendance: 213

Match stats: