BOSS Tom Killick insists in-form Poole Town remain underdogs for their FA Cup trip to Bath City – despite the tie seeming ripe for an upset.

Dolphins head to Twerton Park on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions and armed with a five-point cushion at the top of the Southern League Premier Division.

Bath, who ply their trade one division above Poole in the Conference South, have endured a difficult start to the campaign and sit third-bottom of their division despite taking seven points from their past three matches.

The bookmakers predict a close call with the hosts priced at 11-8 and Killick’s charges considered marginal outsiders at 6-4 but the Dolphins manager is adamant the early-season league standings will mean little on the day.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We had Bath watched against Eastbourne last weekend and by all accounts they looked a very strong and competent Conference South side.

“To look at the league table and minimise the task ahead would be foolish. It will be a really big challenge and without doubt, we will go into this game as underdogs.

“I don’t have too many concerns in terms of physicality because we’re quite a powerful side in our own right but, to put it bluntly, they will simply have the better players.

“Personally, I look at it as a big challenge and I know the players view it in the same light. We’re going there in a positive frame of mind and these are the games you really look forward to. We’ll be going there with no fear but also under no illusions over how difficult it will be.

“I have always talked about our aspirations to achieve Conference South football and we have improved since last season so this should provide a good test of how far we have come.”

Victory would propel Poole to within two matches of the first round proper and pocket the club a cool £4,500 in prizemoney.

Marvin Brooks should be fit for the Dolphins despite picking up a second ankle knock on his return from injury last Saturday.

Midfield colleague Steve Devlin completes his three-match ban.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Emmerson, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Munday, Jermyn, Brooks, O'Hanlon, Preston, Roberts, Gosney, Martin, Lowes, Turner, Manley.