POOLE Town boss Tom Killick believes defeat would be more damaging for Hungerford Town than his own side ahead of tomorrow's clash at the Black Gold Stadium.

The progress of the two clubs has followed a striking symmetry in recent years, both earning promotion from Southern South & West in 2013 before achieving the same in the Southern Premier last season.

Now Poole and Hungerford are riding high in National South and both clubs are required to meet ground grading requirements by the end of this month if they are to retain their current status.

And typical of many of the teams' encounters over the years, Killick is expecting another tight battle (3pm).

He told the Daily Echo: "I can't remember a game between the teams where there has been more than one goal in it either way and there have been quite a few draws. They don't let in many goals, a bit like us.

"They are quite similar in terms of the whole make-up of their club. Like us, they are probably not the best-resourced club in the league and they have work to do on their ground.

"They have followed a similar path to us from the Southern South & West and the Southern Prem. So far there hasn't been a season I can recall where they have finished above us and I don't want that to change.

"When you look at the league table, Chelmsford are doing really well and we are five points clear of Hungerford. If we were able to win the game, suddenly we would look to be in quite a strong position in our fight for the play-offs.

"If we lose, we are still in quite a strong position. A defeat would be more costly for them than for us.

"You know when you play Hungerford what sort of game it's going to be. I've got a lot of respect for them as a team, they are very hard to beat and have a lot of spirit and determination.

"There are an awful lot of similarities between the clubs."

Hungerford have been given the go-ahead to carry out £35,000 improvements at Bulpit Lane after their application was supported by Hungerford Town Council and the Football Association.

The necessary cash has been raised for the upgrades, which include additional covered seating and improved floodlights, dressing rooms and toilet facilities.

The Crusaders are sixth in the standings, four points behind Chelmsford who occupy the final play-off berth and are a spot behind Poole.

Above the Dolphins are big-spending league leaders Ebbsfleet, who are locked on 67 points with second-placed Maidenhead, with Dartford in third.

Poole's Jake Smeeton has an outside chance of being fit to face Hungerford but is likely to be another week away, while Killick rates Shaun Cooper and Richard Gillespie as having 50-50 chances of being involved.