BOSS Tom Killick believes Poole Town have proved their readiness for a pressure-filled run-in and insists the desire to finally secure promotion is immense.

Dolphins are six points clear at the Southern Premier summit with five games remaining, the first of which is at third-placed Hitchin Town tomorrow (3pm).

The Tatnam side were boosted in midweek by a third win on the bounce – against Paulton Rovers – following triumphs over Chesham United and Dorset rivals Weymouth.

There was also the bonus of title rivals Redditch United being deducted three points for fielding two suspended players in a fixture in February, giving Poole a six-point cushion at the top.

With just nine points required to guarantee the league crown, Poole are within touching distance of making up for narrowly missing out on promotion in the past two seasons.

And Killick feels his team are mentally well placed to complete the job this time.

He told the Daily Echo: “We have won our past three games at a pressure stage of the season so I think that says a lot for the players and the frame of mind they are in.

“That is a positive thing for us and we just have to see how things develop. To win three games in the manner we have is a very good thing at this stage.

“We have to try to carry it on. I think there is a determination about the group but it is too early to say how things will be. There is still a lot to be done.

“Past disappointments give you a real determination to try to go one better but it doesn’t mean it is any easier.

“The desire to achieve promotion is immense but it is still a difficult task. All we have done so far is put ourselves in a good position.

“We are being very short term about it all and just focusing on our next opponents, trying to keep our form and confidence and, hopefully, steering clear of any injuries of significance and number.”

Poole still have three of the bottom six to play – Stratford Town, Bideford and Cambridge City – but Killick is taking nothing for granted.

He added: “When you look at our fixtures, you couldn’t be completely confident we are going to win any individual game.

“People will look at the Bideford fixture but they have had some brilliant results lately so suddenly that fixture is a much more difficult proposition than perhaps we were contemplating a month ago.

“I still feel there is an awful lot for us to do.”

Killick has concerns over the fitness of winger Abdulai Baggie, who was forced off with a knee injury in the win over Paulton.

“There is a question mark over Abdulai,” added Killick.

“Things are a bit up in the air. The injury could be trivial or more significant.”

Will Spetch is a doubt due to a tight hamstring and Lewis Lindsay looks set to miss out with a back problem. Richard Gillespie is expected to return to the squad.