UPBEAT boss Tom Killick admits he has been “pleasantly surprised” by the support shown for Poole Town since their National South plight surfaced.

Dolphins, who moved up to third following a 2-0 win over Margate on Saturday, must find £70,000 to get Tatnam up to scratch before the end of March or they will be demoted to the Southern League.

Director and supporters’ club chair Pippa Daniels last week started a JustGiving page which has already raised around £2,800 for the cause with Poole hopeful donations will continue to flood in from a variety of sources.

Assessing the reaction to Dolphins’ ground grading race, Killick told the Daily Echo: “I think I have been pleasantly surprised. Because we have been reasonably successful on the field over the past few years, you do sometimes sense a little bit of jealousy, so you never really know how all that is going to come out.

“But when Wimborne had some difficulties last year, everyone rallied round and it has been good to see the level of support for ourselves.

"We just hope it will all work itself out.

“People are understandably not in a position to give huge amounts but there are a lot of people giving small amounts, which shows the volume of support out there.

“Hopefully, that sort of thing, coupled with investments from other individuals or companies can get us over the line, that’s what we’re hoping.”

Steve Devlin gave Poole a 33rd-minute lead against Margate, his left-footed strike from outside the box proving too hot to handle for keeper Valery Pajetat.

After the break, Abdulai Baggie had a close-range effort ruled out for offside but in the closing minutes, Ryan Richefond’s handball earned him a red card and gave Poole a penalty, which Devlin confidently despatched.

Killick added: “We were largely in control but at 1-0 you can never be comfortable. It was a shame we didn’t convert some of our chances because then it would have been a slightly more relaxed afternoon.

“It’s a long old journey to Margate, you are travelling for pretty much five and a half hours. That’s quite arduous so I think the players did very well.

“They were professional and disciplined and I was pleased with the performance.”

Killick remains hopeful of completing the loan signing of an attacking player from Cherries.

He added: “It’s no secret we are trying to get someone in from Bournemouth and these things are not always straightforward, so we will just have to wait and see."

Dolphins: Hutchings, Dickson, Smeeton, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Roberts (Moore, 79), Brooks, Baggie (Davis, 90+3). Unused subs: Gale, Rees (g/k).