TOM Killick described as a near “perfect away performance” Poole Town’s 2-0 victory at Southern League South rivals Merthyr Town – but suggested his team still had a lot more to offer.

Second-half efforts from James Constable and Sam Griffin secured the win at Penydarren Park.

The successful trip to Wales left Dolphins eighth in the division and four points outside the play-off places, with games in hand.

Boss Killick said his players deserved credit for their efforts in the difficult midweek fixture.

“In some ways it was a perfect away performance other than the first 10 minutes where we looked like a team who had just had a four-and-a-half-hour minibus journey,” said Killick.

“We controlled the game and scored two well-taken goals. We restricted them to very little by way of chances.

“It was very good all round at Merthyr, which is one of the more difficult places to go in this league. With them being above us it put extra emphasis on the game.

“We are not getting carried away. We believe we still have not hit the heights on a consistent basis that we are capable of. There is a lot of improvement still to come from us.

“We had two very difficult away trips in Beaconsfield and Merthyr. To be unbeaten and have four points is a really positive return.

“Confidence is building but we are still very aware that we are not quite where we want to be.”

Constable opened his account for Poole in only his second game back on loan at the club.

Killick heaped praise on the striker’s overall performance.

“You get forwards who need to be scoring to have a huge impact on games and you get forwards who have a big impact without necessarily having to score,” said Killick. “James is definitely in the latter category. His strength, workrate and hold up play is so good that you get so much from him even when he is not scoring.

“From a confidence point of view it was great for him to score a goal, but his whole game was very good.”

Poole returned from the 260-mile round trip at 2am.

Killick admitted completing the monster journey after a defeat would have been “unbearable”.

“People will be quite dismissive of what it takes for the players to embark on that type of away trip,” said Killick.

“They took time off work and left at 1.30pm. We had a quick stop and got there at 6.30pm. Then the players have to play the game before getting back home at 2am.

“It is a big deal and I felt the players acquitted themselves very well. Physically, in particular, we were really good with the work ethic every player showed.

“We restricted Merthyr to very few chances and it was a brilliant effort.”

Dolphins: Cairney, Alawode-Williams, Leslie-Smith, Spetch, Whisken, Smeeton, Griffin, Moore, Constable, Brooks, Roberts (House, 83). Unused subs: Dickson, Gillespie, Bedford, Hubbard.