AMBITIOUS Tom Killick feels a play-off finish would be a "real reflection" of his players' efforts as Poole Town continue to tackle sides with "vast resources".

Killick cited Gosport Borough – managed by ex-Wimborne Town boss Alex Pike – and Havant & Waterlooville as examples of teams who had struggled in National South despite spending notable sums.

Gosport are five points from safety while Havant & Waterlooville – who nine years ago gave Liverpool an almighty FA Cup scare – were last season relegated to the Ryman League.

Meanwhile, fifth-placed Poole will next week hope to meet ground grading requirements in order to ensure they can remain in National South next season, following a substantial fundraising drive.

Speaking ahead of tonight's home fixture against Truro City (7.45pm), Killick told the Daily Echo: "The players deserve enormous credit. We've had lots of situations where we have gone to places with barely enough substitutes and players have been patched up and had to play.

"We're playing against teams with vast resources and all sorts of squads. I look at a team like Gosport in terms of what they have spent and done in trying to assemble a team and they are in the relegation zone.

"I look at Havant & Waterlooville last season, an enormously-resourced team who got relegated from the league.

"I just think this group of players are a pleasure to work with and be around and I have nothing but praise for them. Having got into this position, we want to finish it off and get into the play-off places.

"There has to be something tangible every season in terms of what you achieve. In the league below we always set out to win the league, that was always our objective.

"This year that was going to be a massively long shot. I know getting to the play-offs is not actually a prize in itself but I think that would be an exceptional achievement for this group of players.

"It would be a real reflection of what they represent as a group."

Poole face their ground grading D-day in seven days and vice-chairman Chris Reeves last week revealed a quiet confidence of attaining the standard required, while also admitting "our hearts are going to be in our mouths" until the green light is given.

Reflecting on the upgrade works, which include new terracing and floodlight tweaks, Killick said: "It has been a monumental effort from everyone concerned. Dick Thomas deserves a lot of credit in terms of the practical side but there has been an immense effort by all the directors in getting the ground to the point where it is.

"We know it's still a bit limited. It would be nice to have a different set of circumstances and a different canvas but bearing in mind the limitations, the club has done exceptionally well to get to this point.

"It was impressive to see on Saturday when you look at how it was when I first arrived at the club."