TOM Killick says Poole cannot afford a repeat of their slovenly display against Oxford City when they renew rivalry with Hungerford tomorrow.

Dolphins and the Crusaders have matched each other almost stride for stride on their respective journeys up the pyramid.

After being promoted together from the Southern League last term – Poole as champions and Hungerford via the play-offs – the teams are comfortably ensconced in the top half of National South.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “In the past, we have had a good record of responding well to adverse results and we hope the same applies this weekend.

“Hungerford is an ideal game for us, in that it’s against strong opposition and you have to match their physical threat before anything else.

“We have played them a number of times across the past six or seven years and I can’t remember a game that wasn’t closely fought.”

First and foremost, Killick is demanding his players deliver a performance full of the application and endeavour he believes was missing from the 3-1 defeat by Oxford.

“Against Oxford, we felt there wasn’t a proper focus and commitment in our approach,” said Killick. “That’s the only time it’s happened all season. We’ve had bad results but that was the first time we didn’t compete properly.

“We can’t guarantee we will win, but we have to guarantee we will be absolutely determined, focused and properly committed.”

Killick did not want to fan the flames of his personal duel with Hungerford boss Bobby Wilkinson.

But given the two sides traded blows for two years in Southern South & West, before spending three years duking it out in the Southern Premier League, Killick knows what he is in for on his fifth-placed team’s trip to Berkshire.

He said: “They don’t give anything away easily. They are like us in many ways, they have kept the same nucleus of players for a long time, so when you play them you know what to expect.

“I have a lot of respect for what they’ve achieved. We’ve never had an easy game against them – and I don’t think that will change.”

Striker Richard Gillespie will miss the game after injuring his hamstring against Oxford.

Carl Pettefer sustained a similar problem in that match, but Killick is clinging to the hope that his influential midfielder will be available to face the team currently four places and four points below Poole.

“It’s probably less than a 50 per cent chance but we haven’t given up on it,” added Killick. “Carl is very important for us. He has a real calmness about the way he plays and he’s extremely well respected by the other players.

“I think we miss him psychologically when he’s not there.

“But there are players that have not had as much game time as they or I would have liked so they will get their opportunity.”