MANAGER Tom Killick has urged Poole Town to take the sting out of their upcoming double-header with title rivals Weymouth with a win at struggling Arlesey.

The Dolphins have re-established themselves as odds-on favourites for the Southern League title with three wins in a row during a spell which has seen the Terras labour to four defeats in five.

Poole’s surge has arrived at just the right time with fellow contenders Corby, Truro and Hungerford enjoying purple patches of their own.

But with just two points dropped from 17 matches against teams currently outside the Premier Division’s top 10, Killick believes his troops can give themselves margin for error with victory at the Armadillo Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Killick told the Daily Echo: “With the way things are panning out, a win this weekend would mean Weymouth could not knock us out of the title race.

“Maintaining our advantage would mean defeat in both matches against them would not significantly damage our hopes of lifting the title but losing would put Weymouth in a very difficult position.

“That is the slight strength of where we are.

“Winning at Arlesey is far from a foregone conclusion but we see it as an opportunity to relieve some of the pressure and one we must do our utmost to take.”

Killick hopes to take an unchanged squad to 19th-placed Arlesey following Tuesday’s 6-0 thumping of Bideford.

Defender Will Spetch is set to continue his journey on the comeback trail by turning out for Dorset Premier League outfit Wareham Rangers.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Lindsay, Martin, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Quigley, Brooks, Davis, Gilkes, Gillespie, Roberts, Thomas.