BOSS Tom Killick refused to push the panic button over Poole Town’s striker shortage – despite admitting it had cost them two points against Hereford United.

Carl Preston, Marvin Brooks and substitutes Lewis Lindsay and Luke Roberts all went close to breaking the deadlock but a combination of poor finishing and fine form from Bulls keeper Luke Williams ensured stalemate at Tatnam.

Not for the first time this season, Killick chose to start without a recognised striker with just Roberts and fellow rookie Dan Munday at his disposal.

The role has been a bone of contention for the Southern League leaders since the summer with Cherries loanee Josh O’Hanlon – currently back at Dean Court having picked up a knee injury – providing temporary respite with seven goals in 12 starts.

But while Killick acknowledged his concern over the position, he called for a sense of perspective with Dolphins still three points clear at the Premier Division summit.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “While our squad is clearly very powerful, we are short on attacking options and probably paid the price for that against Hereford.

"Throughout the season we have created a number of chances and always managed to convert one or two to get the right result. We didn’t create as many on Saturday but still enough to have scored at least one goal.

“But I think we need to let the result properly sink in and see what happens tomorrow (against Hungerford) before reading too much into it.

“We played Marvin Brooks up front against Truro two weeks ago and won the game handsomely. It was never mentioned we had started that game without a recognised striker.

“Had we won 3-0 on Saturday that would have been the case again but we have failed to score so people point to that and I can’t dismiss it.

“We have been without Josh O’Hanlon for the past couple of weeks and still managed to get some good results. But, had we started with a recognised striker, you would like to think we would have taken at least one of our chances (against Hereford).”

Meanwhile, the Poole manager praised Hereford’s combative display and backed the beleaguered club to quickly climb the table should they overcome their off-field troubles.

He added: “The teams we have faced this season have either been strong at one end or the other but Hereford stifled us and at the same time remained dangerous on the break. They might be young and a bit raw but they’re definitely improving.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Tallack, Martin, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Jermyn (Emmerson, 57), Preston (Roberts, 57), Brooks (Lindsay, 75). Unused subs: Munday, Manley (g/k).

  • Poole Town will host North Leigh in the first qualifying round following the Oxfordshire outfit’s 2-1 win at Yate Town on Saturday.