TOM Killick believes youngster Ollie Balmer’s development has provided Poole Town with a significant boost.

The Dolphins boss showed faith in the talented forward, who impressed during his side’s dramatic 2-2 draw at East Thurrock on Tuesday.

Balmer was drafted in to start against the Rocks – an opportunity Killick insisted was no more than the striker had deserved.

He told the Daily Echo: “If you speak to Ollie, he is probably a bit frustrated that he hasn’t played more often and I get that. He’s a young lad and, like any young lad, he is desperate to be out on the field playing.

“He has had to be patient. He got a rare start on Tuesday and grabbed his chance with both hands.

“I feel Ollie is developing into a really fine player but he is not just going to become a regular at this level, and perhaps go on to a better level, overnight.

“It’s gradual but I thought on Tuesday he proved he is progressing very well and it’s a very positive thing for him and the club.

“He is learning what the level is, physically and technically, and is progressing. He’s a very good young player to work with because he is very keen to improve, learn and progress.

“He has a hunger about him in terms of wanting to achieve things. I sense that and that to me is something which is an essential ingredient to have.”

Balmer has progressed through the ranks at Poole and was a key figure in the club's run to the second round of the FA Youth Cup last season.

The striker could again be involved on Saturday when Dolphins make the trip to promotion-chasing St Albans City (3pm).

Poole are five points from safety with eight games left to beat the drop.

“One of my frustrations is I feel that, if I had the squad I have now all season, I don’t think we would be anywhere like the position we are in now,” added Killick.

“But at this stage of the season, I can talk as much as I want. We have to prove things on the pitch.

“St Albans are potentially one of the hardest fixtures away from home in the league but we feel very confident playing away.

“It’s quite a bizarre situation. We just feel very confident we can get a positive result. It’s a genuine confidence, it’s not just us talking things up.”

Saints frontman Rhys Murrell-Williamson has been a nuisance for Dolphins during the past two meetings between the sides.

He netted the winner in a 1-0 triumph for St Albans at Black Gold Stadium in August before striking twice to send Poole out of the FA Trophy at Clarence Park three months later.

Meanwhile, Dolphins announced full-back Jordan Williams had extended his loan from Bristol Rovers until the end of the season.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Moore, Smeeton, Aihevba, Whisken, Pettefer, Walker, Balmer, Devlin, Constable, Brooks, Bentley, Oteduko, Gillespie, Rees, Williams.