CAUTIOUS manager Tom Killick urged his players to keep their eyes on the prize after watching Poole Town move into a commanding position.

Killick called on his men to remain focused on their promotion goal following Dolphins’ last-gasp 2-1 win at 10-man Paulton Rovers last night.

The victory saw Poole close to within five points of Southern League Division One South & West leaders Hungerford – with five games in hand.

Warren Byerley opened the scoring on 30 minutes before Paulton’s Stuart Tovey saw red following an off-the-ball incident involving Carl Preston.

Brandon Barnes levelled with 15 minutes remaining but Luke Burbidge’s cross-shot found the net in the closing moments to boost Poole’s title push.

However, Killick is refusing to get carried away by his team’s promising placing in the table.

He told the Daily Echo: “We are in a strong position and we wouldn’t swap it for any other team in the league.

“But this is the nervous time when teams with something to play for can get nervous. You can get some funny results.

“We have got to keep going. We are very much aware that there is – and this is not just manager speak – a long way to go.”

Discussing his team’s latest win, Killick added: “It was the second game in a row where we defended and battled well without being at our best.

“With Hungerford not playing, it finally gave us a chance to chip into their lead. We don’t seem to have had too many opportunities to do that and we managed to take advantage.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Clarke (Charles, 55), Brooks, Walker, Spetch, Preston, Kelly, Devlin, Howes, Burbidge, Byerley. Unused subs: Collier, Biles, T Brown (g/k).

  • Wimborne Town boss Steve Cuss was left to rue a poor defensive display as his team became the latest victims of in-form Yate.

Magpies suffered a 3-1 away defeat as the Bristol outfit registered a ninth consecutive league victory.

Scott Wilson handed the hosts an ideal start inside the opening two minutes before Jamie Davidson equalised for Wimborne in the eighth minute.

But Michael Bryant restored Yate’s lead before experienced former professional Michael Meaker secured the win after the break.

Magpies manager Cuss said: “We used the ball well, dominated possession and created a number of chances. For long spells, we looked the better side. Unfortunately, we didn’t defend well enough.”

Magpies: Harvell, Case, Maybury, Costello, Peprah-Annan, Hubbard, Moth, Webb (Jeffes, 81), Sainsbury, Davidson, Kemble (Smith, 81). Unused subs: Roast, Battison, Ackerman (g/k).