POOLE Town boss Tom Killick slammed as “ridiculous” the decision of referee Nick Hobbis to allow four minutes of injury time in the late loss at Corby.

Hobbis originally signalled for two additional minutes but former Scunthorpe winger Cleveland Taylor left it later than that to grab the promotion-chasing Steelmen a dramatic 1-0 victory.

It was the third away game in a row that Poole had been sunk by a late goal having been caught by sucker punches in the league visit to Hitchin and the FA Trophy clash with Maidenhead.

The result knocked Dolphins off top spot in the Southern Premier and ensured that league leaders Redditch, Poole and Corby would be locked on 47 points apiece come Christmas Day.

And manager Killick felt Birmingham whistler Hobbis had played a significant role in the removal of Dolphins from top spot.

He told the Daily Echo: “The referee said there was going to be two minutes of added time and we lost in the fourth minute of added time, so that tells its own story.

“I know the referee has got the discretion to add more time on but there were no injuries and no substitutions and he doubled the amount of injury time, which is obviously ridiculous.

“Corby were strong and powerful but they hardly had an opportunity, they didn't really create any chances throughout the game.

“It was an excellent performance and we deserved a draw.”

Poole made a strong start at Steel Park and defensive duo Michael Walker and Jamie Whisken both went close with efforts in the opening minutes.

The contest became a cagey affair but the hosts threatened when Edi Appleton nodded off-target from a corner.

Moments before the break, Steve Devlin nearly caught out keeper Paul Walker with an audacious long-range lob which sailed over.

After the restart, Marvin Brooks and Michael Walker were not far away with headed efforts and Devlin sent another speculative strike clear of the bar.

Greg Mills fired wide before player-boss Tommy Wright's delivery into the box eventually fell to Taylor and the midfield man, part of the Scunthorpe side that won the League One title in 2006-07, made no mistake.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Jermyn, Walker, Pettefer, Martin, Burbidge, Devlin, Whisken, Maloney (Gillespie, 66), Brooks, Roberts. Unused subs: Thomas, Lindsay, Davis.