BOSS Tom Killick felt Poole Town should already be celebrating a place in the FA Cup first round proper – despite their underdogs tag.

Dolphins dominated Conference South club Staines on their own Wheatsheaf Park patch but could not quite break the deadlock with the clubs set for a fight to the finish at Tatnam tomorrow (7.45pm).

Killick watched his side enjoy the lion’s share of the play against a team who had won all six of their previous home games at the level above.

However, he insisted there was no time for wondering what might have been with a tie at League One high-fliers Brentford and a £12,500 prize pot in the offing.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We have got to try and focus on getting through the replay first. We have to try and replicate the effort and desire that we put in on Saturday. I thought, on balance, we were the better side and should have won.”

Lone striker Warren Byerley’s rasping effort from the edge of the area was a notable highlight after Poole had pressurised Staines defender Jerel Ifil into an error as Dolphins dominated the opening half.

Will Spetch and Marvin Brooks went on to have opportunities in an end-to-end second period, but the visitors had a near-miss when Staines captain Lewis Ferrell headed narrowly wide with virtually the last touch of the game.

Looking ahead to the replay, Killick is hoping a healthy crowd can aid Poole’s quest but admits he has some tough calls to make when it comes to team selection.

Skipper Dan Cann remains suspended but influential winger Carl Preston is available after serving a one-match ban.

The Dolphins boss added: “We will have a good crowd because our supporters are behind us home and away. I am hoping that we will get a really good gate. There will be a good atmosphere and the players respond to that.

“You look at the 11 that started the first game, including Jordan (Chiedozie) who came on, and they all did really well so we have got some thinking to do.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Clarke, Spetch, Cummings, Whisken, Pettefer, Davies (Oliver, 90), Devlin, Byerley (Chiedozie, 54), Brooks, Elliott. Unused subs: Dibba, Richardson, Charles, Parrett, Thomas (g/k).