MANAGER Tom Killick believes Tuesday’s FA Cup replay against Bath City will provide the acid test for Poole Town’s Conference South credentials.

The Dolphins boss was “relieved” to have rescued a replay having produced a below-par display in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Twerton Park.

Promotion-chasing Poole have blazed a trail at the top of the Southern League Premier Division so far this season but it took a 90th-minute equaliser to save their bacon against the higher-ranked Romans.

Killick was adamant his side have much more to offer and urged Poole to prove they belong in non-league’s second tier by booking their place in the third qualifying round.

Assessing the opening tie, Killick told the Daily Echo: “We didn’t play very well. When we had the ball we were probably as poor as we have been all season.

“We didn’t seem to have any options and often resorted to going from back to front too quickly, which was not the right approach considering we had one up front.

“Having said that, Bath’s goal was a phenomenal strike from 20 yards out and apart from that they didn’t carve us open or manage any clear-cut opportunities.

“We made bad decisions and unforced errors on the ball and lacked a little bit of bravery at times, which was a shame, because we started well and looked the better side in the opening 15 minutes.

“I am relieved to get another opportunity but we need to make sure we play in a different way because if we do the same things, the outcome won’t change.

“We’ll see in the replay whether the opposition are a bit too much for us other whether we just suffered an off-day.

“If it’s the same again then perhaps we’ll have to acknowledge that we’re not quite good enough but I am confident that won’t be the case.”