ASSISTANT manager Callum Brooks admitted Poole Town had a “mountain to climb” if they were to escape the National South drop this season.

The Dolphins number two was speaking after his side were dealt a wretched double blow on Saturday.

Poole’s 2-1 defeat at Chelmsford City was coupled with fellow relegation battlers Concord Rangers recording an unlikely 1-0 home win over high-flying Hampton & Richmond.

The results mean Dolphins are now eight points from safety with five games remaining to save their season.

Brooks told the Daily Echo: “It is a mountain to climb. There is a very slim chance, but it’s still a chance. We know it’s a long shot but in life you have to fight to the death.

“Whenever you have your back to the wall, the only thing you have available to you is to have a real go until you can no longer do it.

“It was deflating for the players. They were gutted from losing the game and then to get in and find out the blow had been added to by an unlikely result was difficult.”

Having started the day five points from safety, Poole raced into an early lead after four minutes at Salerno Way thanks to a neatly worked passing move.

Youngster Ollie Balmer found Warren Bentley inside the area. His flick made its way to Richard Gillespie, who applied a trademark finish to give his side the advantage.

Despite Dolphins holding firm until the 66th minute, Chelmsford restored parity from a set-piece.

A corner swung into the near post by Taylor Miles was met by defender Michael Spillane, who was given space to glance the ball into the net.

Nine minutes later, the Clarets found their winner. A deep cross to the far post found the unmarked Scott Fenwick, who nodded into the far corner to increase Dolphins’ troubles.

Brooks added: “During the second half I was aware of what was going on at Concord. At 1-1 we changed the shape to try to have a gamble because we knew we needed three points.

“If things were coming through that Concord were losing, it may have been a bit different.

“We have had a lot of games where we have come away feeling unlucky but on Saturday we didn’t deserve anything.

“We were second best in most areas and that meant that, after a bit of huffing and puffing, we came away with no points.

“It was always going to be a tough game and we were well beaten, albeit being only 2-1.

“We really could have done without Concord beating Hampton. It’s been the case for us this season, every time we have looked to pick someone off they have gone on a bit of a run.”

Dolphins host third-place Hampton at Black Gold Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Dolphins: Hutchings, Williams, Lindsay, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Balmer, Devlin, Gillespie (Otudeko, 69), Moore, Bentley. Unused subs: Aihevba, Spetch, Leslie-Smith, Rees (g/k).