RELIEVED boss Tom Killick saw Poole Town extend their unbeaten home Southern League record as they overcame Chippenham in a tense victory at Tatnam.

A swift brace late in the first half from midfielder Steve Devlin, including a well-placed penalty, put Killick’s men in control of a game they had dominated throughout the opening period.

However, Dolphins were given a scare on 69 minutes. The visitors came out much improved after half-time and were rewarded when Rob Dean found space on the counter attack to sweep home and create an air of anxiety among the home supporters going into the latter stages of yesterday's match.

But Michael Charles eased fears of a comeback when he sealed the victory with a last-minute spot kick.

“It looked like a game we were always in control of but, suddenly, it was very much in the balance,” Killick told the Daily Echo.

“It was one of those situations where when they scored, their tails were up. The complexion of the game can change dramatically and they suddenly had a belief and we looked nervous.”

Killick’s concerns were eventually calmed deep into stoppage time. Second-half substitute Warren Byerley got goal side of his man and referee Aaron Moody, deeming that the striker had been hauled down, showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Frontman Charles stepped up and converted to ensure Killick’s men kept pace with their Premier Division promotion rivals.

He added: “I thought we were a bit fortuitous with the penalty at the end. Psychologically, it was quite difficult coming off the Chesham result and, some days, you just have to make sure you win.

“Looking at the league table, if you lose a couple of games, you suddenly have a big gap to make up because there are so many sides challenging.”

Killick will now lose goalkeeper Nick Hutchings for six weeks as the stopper travels to Australia and New Zealand.

But the Dolphins boss is backing replacement Dan Thomas to perform well on his return to the starting line-up.

He added: “We will miss Nick but Dan Thomas deserves his opportunity. I have a lot of confidence in Dan and I have every belief that he can come back in and do well. It is the least he deserves for the work he puts in.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Clarke, Spetch, Martin, Whisken (Dibba, 66), Pettefer, Brooks, Devlin (Elliott, 57), Charles, Preston, Cann (Byerley, 84). Unused subs: Richardson, Thomas (g/k).