BOSS Tom Killick is unlikely to look back on this clash with any fondness after seeing Poole Town drop two points in the dying stages against Wealdstone, reports Jack Tanner.

Prior to the game, Killick’s defensive headache had worsened when stalwart Michael Walker dropped the bombshell that a ruptured cruciate ligament would keep him out for the rest of the season.

Despite the odds, Dolphins’ makeshift defence weathered mass aerial bombardment to enter injury time with a slender lead, given to them by Richard Gillespie’s 47th-minute strike.

However, it was not to be as ,under controversial circumstances, Omar Koroma equalised to give Poole a taste of their own medicine, with the Dolphins having levelled late on in the reverse fixture in September.

Killick admitted that with a threadbare squad, which included 50-year-old Taffy Richardson, a draw had been a fair result and remained “proud” of the performance.

He told the Daily Echo: “When you look at the game without an emotional attachment, Wealdstone deserved something. They were on top for most of the first half, with periods in the second half. They had an awful lot of crosses and shots, so you couldn’t begrudge them an equaliser.”

What will aggravate Poole was the nature of the goal – Nick Hutchings looked to be impeded by an opponent during the corner, with his reaction earning him a booking.

Killick added: “We were quite upset about the way it came about. We felt it was a foul. But, on balance, they deserved the point. When you concede at the end, there is this immediate feeling of disappointment.

“But when the dust has settled and you look at the circumstances surrounding it and what the players put into the game in the second half, it was just an exceptional effort. We had to start with two full-backs who aren’t full-backs and Taffy had to help me out!

“I think you have to take all those things into account, plus the fact confidence was low in terms of the results and performances we’ve had recently.”

A tactical switch in the second half saw Poole revert to their traditional formation and, just two minutes into the second half, it bore fruit when Gillespie flicked home Luke Roberts’ low cross.

“Our set-up in the first half just didn’t work, so it was my responsibility to change things at half-time,” said Killick.

“However, the damage was done because we were physically drained after the first half.

“The spirit and determination in the second half really pleased me. There were things we could have done better with but I was really proud of the players. The important thing is that we stopped the rot so it was a point gained.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Cooper, Moore, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Baggie (Gleeson, h-t), Gillespie (Gale, 73), Brooks, Roberts. Unused subs: White, Richardson, Rees (g/k).