FRUSTRATED boss Tom Killick insisted nine-man Poole Town’s hopes of victory at Hitchin Town had been taken from them by the referee.

Centre-half Michael Walker was sent off just before the hour mark for handling Dan Webb’s shot in the box, with keeper Nick Hutchings saving Lewis Rolfe’s resultant penalty.

And Steve Devlin was given his marching orders after picking up two cautions in the final 15 minutes – the second of which was for diving.

Hitchin’s Kane Smith crashed against the bar in added time before the home side’s Ben Walster saw a straight red for a robust challenge on Carl Pettefer.

Dolphins’ lead at the top of the Southern Premier was cut to four points in the wake of the 0-0 stalemate – played out in front of a crowd of more than 700 – and Redditch United’s thumping win over Dorchester Town.

But although disappointed by the red-card decisions, Killick admitted he was content enough with the end result.

He told the Daily Echo: “Bearing in mind the scenario we faced after the referee deemed it appropriate to send off two of our players, I felt it was a positive outcome.

“We felt the penalty wasn’t a penalty or a red card and that the sending-off of Devs was incorrect as well.

“Before the game we were hoping to get three points but the opportunity to win the game was taken from us.

“We are a bit frustrated because we wanted to win. But we have to accept it for what it was, be pleased at the resilience we showed and move on.”

Reflecting on Walker’s dismissal, Killick said: “We were amazed by it. The ball hit him on the arm but he was lying on the floor and the ball was kicked into him from a yard away.

“None of their management team or players thought it was a penalty and that put us in a very difficult predicament.”

Discussing Devlin’s red card, the boss added: “Their lad had a big swipe and Devs took evasive action.

“Some referees find it difficult to distinguish between diving and evasive action and there is pressure on them to eradicate simulation from the game, which I understand.

“Unfortunately, it is leading to some unfair decisions and we were on the wrong end of it.”

Killick had words of praise for Hutchings, however, in the light of his crucial spot-kick intervention.

“Hutch is an exceptional goalkeeper and really proved his worth,” said Killick.

“His handling was impeccable throughout which took the pressure off us and he really performed well.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Tallack, Spetch, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Lee (Gillespie, 68), Brooks, Roberts (Gleeson, 87). Unused subs: Holgate, Granger, Dickson.

James Stokoe scored with his head as Wimborne Town shared a 1-1 draw with visitors Didcot Town in Southern South & West.

Magpies: O’Flaherty, Murray, Johnson, Arnold, Davidson, Maybury, Kellaway, Lupton, Stokoe, Ford (Bayston, 76), Leonard (Waters, 76). Unused subs: O’Sullivan, Old, Thompson (g/k).