POOLE Town boss Tom Killick says being without "inspirational" Sam Surridge until the new year is "horrific for us and horrific for him".

The striker, who has scored seven times since his loan move from Cherries at the end of August, has a badly broken thumb that is expected to sideline him for up to six weeks.

Surridge's injury is a further blow to Killick, whose side was shocked by lower league opposition for the second time in a week when Wimborne Town ended their Dorset Senior Cup hopes on Tuesday.

Killick told the Daily Echo: "Sam has quite a bad injury to his thumb. It’s broken to such an extent it will need surgery.

"That’s horrific for us and horrific for him. He was absolutely inspirational and his time here was working so well for both parties.

"He was establishing himself, showing his potential and really enhancing our effectiveness. So to be without him for a long period is a big blow."

Poole's 4-3 defeat by Southern South & West Wimborne came despite them having restored parity after falling 3-1 behind.

Magpies' forward Toby Holmes almost instantly cancelled out Abdulai Baggie's fifth minute penalty at Tatnam, with Connor Cocklin and Jack Lovell then on target for Wimborne.

Luke Roberts cut the deficit, before Marvin Brooks levelled 10 minutes after half-time to seemingly set Dolphins on course for victory.

But following Ryan Case's dismissal for a second bookable offence, Holmes pounced again to secure a memorable victory for the underdogs.

After bemoaning the complacency he felt cost Dolphins in their FA Trophy defeat by Southern League Premier Division Weymouth seven days earlier, Killick felt the same failing returned to haunt his side in the county competition.

"It's the manner of the defeat that is disappointing," he said. "We did well in the first few minutes, went in front, and it looked like it would be a straightforward evening.

"I think that’s what caused us a problem. There was a bit of complacency and we fell 3-1 behind.

"We then fought back to 3-3 and it looked like only one team would win it. But suddenly we think everything is done and dusted and we didn’t push on from there.

"Credit to Wimborne. They were all the things we weren’t. They were determined, they were spirited and enthusiastic - and they deserved to win.

"It’s just another very unhappy evening for us."

Poole don't return to action until they host Wealdstone in National League South on December 17.

The manager would have preferred to do without this enforced break, but he accepts it might be arriving at an opportune time.

"Morale within a football club is very important and we have almost two weeks to dwell on this result," said Killick.

"We’re hoping we can use this gap to get as many players back fit as possible.

"It is very difficult for a squad our size to be without the number and calibre of players we're missing and expect brilliant results."