HIGH-fliers Poole Town edged a narrow 1-0 win over visitors Burnham following a late scare.

Luke Burbidge put Dolphins ahead moments before half-time and victory was all-but assured when a late Burnham header was ruled out for offside.

That success, combined with Weymouth’s shock 4-2 home defeat to Paulton Rovers, allowed Poole to close to a single point the gap at the top of the Southern Premier.

Tom Killick’s men have a game in hand on the Terras ahead of a hugely-important clash with Redditch at Tatnam on Saturday.

Marvin Brooks blasted over Poole’s first chance of note against Burnham before Adam Bernard clipped the outside of the post at the other end.

The lively Steve Devlin rattled the woodwork for the hosts and supplied the pass from which Burbidge converted the opener.

Dolphins loan ace Joe Quigley blazed over a couple of present-able opportunities in the second half, while Devlin twice worried keeper Alex Lynch from range.

Lynch distinguished himself with a fine save when one-on-one with substitute Harrison Gilkes and Burnham piled on the pressure late on.

Stopper Hutchings was called upon to make a point-blank stop before the flag of the referee’s assistant came to Poole’s rescue in the closing moments.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Tallack, Martin, Jermyn, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Quigley (Lindsay, 86), Brooks (Gilkes, 60), Maloney (Roberts, 74).