MANAGER Tom Killick has warned Poole Town that any slip in Saturday’s trip to Paulton (3pm) would waste their efforts in winning their midweek war of attrition.

Dolphins emerged victorious from a bruising battle against Hungerford to move six points clear of second-placed St Neots at the Southern League summit on Tuesday but the win came at a cost.

Carl Pettefer and Luke Burbidge, withdrawn through injury against the Crusaders, remain doubtful for Poole’s journey to Somerset with Michael Walker (ankle) and Carl Preston (groin) already sidelined.

But despite the growing injury list, Killick believes his boys have enough in the tank to gun down a struggling Rovers outfit – provided they attack their opponents with the same gusto.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We talk about the levels we have to reach mentally quite a lot and Hungerford was a big game for us. We have a rivalry with them and they are one of the stronger sides in the league.

“We had gone into that game on the back of a disappointing result against Hereford and sometimes, when you’ve had a good reaction and won a game like that, the game after suddenly becomes more difficult.

“If you’re not careful, you don’t approach it in the right way and that’s when you drop points. Should that happen, everything we did against Hungerford would be thrown away. We have to make sure that we don’t get affected by that high.

“Continued success is about producing the same intensity week-in, week-out and that is our biggest challenge.

“I don’t think there is anyone in the league that plays like Hungerford so whoever you get will be different. That makes it a much more enjoyable game to be involved in but you can’t allow it affect your mentality because while it will be different, it certainly won’t be any easier.”

On Poole’s injuries, Killick added: “We’re stretched but you look at the likes of Billy Lowes, Jack Dickson and Dan Munday who have performed so well in the FA Youth Cup and you are happy to play them.

“I know they’re good enough and I know they’re ready so I’m not concerned about putting in the youngsters.”

Killick is still scouring the market for attacking options but does not anticipate making any signings in time for the weekend.

Cherries youngster Josh O’Hanlon is not expected to return from injury in the near future but hotshot Richard Gillespie is set to be available from November 13.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Martin, Jermyn, Whisken, Lowes, Devlin, Dickson, Lindsay, Emmerson, Roberts, Brooks, Lowes, Munday, Pettefer, Burbidge, Manley.