BOSS Tom Killick admitted some of his Poole Town players “downed tools” in a “horrendous” second-half display against Truro City.

The sides went in at the break level at a sodden Black Gold Stadium before the Cornish outfit surged to a 3-0 triumph.

As the surface absorbed heavy downpours throughout the contest, Poole remained treading water in their mission to avoid the drop in National South.

Tyler Harvey struck twice for the White Tigers after Cody Cooke had opened the scoring.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We were horrendous at most things, particularly in the second half. It was men against boys.

“It got too much for us and a few people decided enough was enough and downed tools. That was the bit I found difficult to accept.

“We were overwhelmed in the second half and just didn’t show enough physicality and strength at times.

“We were at a big disadvantage physically. We were a young inexperienced team and were certainly not as powerful as them but you still have to show more fight.”

With clear chances initially at a premium, Truro almost took the lead late in the opening period.

A dangerous effort from Cooke deflected narrowly wide before Aaron Lamont forced Poole keeper Nick Hutchings into making a fine reaction save.

Truro then should have gone ahead through midfielder Noah Keats.

The former Exeter City youngster, a family friend of Killick who was set to stay with him over Christmas, blasted over after finding room inside the box.

But Poole were not given another reprieve 13 minutes after the break when they fell behind.

A sweeping ball from substitute Niall Thompson found full-back Connor Riley-Lowe at the far post. He teed up Cooke, who applied the simplest of finishes to open the scoring.

Shortly after, the striker almost added his second.

He raced in on goal and placed under Hutchings, only to see the ball cannon off the upright.

But Truro continued to push for a second and got their reward.

Harvey bundled home after defender Ed Palmer had initially seen his effort crash against the crossbar.

The result was then put beyond doubt when frontman Harvey added his second.

He rifled into the top corner on the turn to give stopper Hutchings no chance.

The result meant Poole stayed in the bottom three with 21 points from 23 games.

“We looked like the side that didn’t need the points and had nothing to play for,” added Killick.

“There was almost an acceptance they were better and a lack of belief that we could win the game.

“We ended up well beaten, which, when you are playing at home, is just not acceptable.”

Poole will make the trip to Treyew Road looking for revenge against Truro on New Year’s Day (3pm).

Dolphins: Hutchings, Lindsay, Moore (Leslie-Smith, 85), Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Bedford (Grange, 84), Devlin, Bentley, Gyebi (Balmer, 65), Harfield. Unused subs: Neale, Rees (g/k).