POOLE Town boss Tom Killick is keen to retain the services of Ryan Thorpe following the keeper's shock debut in the Southern League Cup final.

Thorpe, who plies his trade with Bournemouth Saturday League side Bournemouth Electric, had been rushed into the Dolphins squad to face Corby in the first leg at Steel Park on Wednesday.

His selection came after the club had received news on Tuesday evening that stopper Vinicius Marques de Salve - who had been earmarked to start - had made a shock return to his native Brazil.

With first-choice keeper Nick Hutchings and additional backup Jordan Seabright unable to step in at short notice, Killick turned to Thorpe to solve his conundrum.

And following the 1-1 draw with their Southern Premier rivals, the Tatnam boss expressed an interest in keeping Thorpe on the scene for the rest of the season.

Killick told the Daily Echo: "On Tuesday night we had a situation where the team was leaving at lunchtime the next day and we didn't have a goalkeeper. Luckily I spoke to Mike Artwell (Electric boss) and he recommended Ryan.

"It was a gamble because I had never seen him play but, if I'm honest, we didn't have any options.

"Our thanks go to Mike for the recommendation and to Ryan for putting himself out and going to Corby on a Wednesday.

"I think myself and my goalkeeping coach, Robbie Yates, are going to have a discussion to see if we can have Ryan. In theory now that he's signed on, he's available. But we've got to respect Bournemouth Electric's position because they had been good enough to lend him to us in the first place.

"Bearing in mind the level of performance he put in, keeping him until the end of the season is certainly something we could consider."

Richard Gillespie gave Poole an early lead at Corby only for Greg Mills to equalise from range after 16 minutes.

Defender Will Spetch was withdrawn at half-time due to an impact injury to his leg, while Verwood's Tom Whelan came on as a late substitute.

The second leg will take place at Tatnam on Tuesday, March 31.

Dolphins face visitors Bideford tomorrow (3pm) as they look to maintain top spot in the Southern Premier.

Marvin Brooks serves the second of three-match ban while Carl Pettefer is doubtful due to a groin strain. Hutchings, Steve Devlin and Lewis Tallack are available.

Dolphins: Thorpe, Lindsay, Walker, Whisken, Spetch (Dickson, h-t), Burbidge, Lowes, Davis, Walsh (Whelan, 76), Gillespie (Quigley, 65), Roberts. Unused subs: Yates.