POOLE Town boss Tom Killick insists he is not concerned his team could be sucked into a Southern League South relegation battle.

Dolphins were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Gosport Borough on Saturday, extending to five games their winless league run.

Some four points clear of the drop zone, Poole have at least a game in hand on every team in the division.

And Killick remains hopeful his 12th-place side can climb towards the play-off spots, which they are 10 points adrift of.

Asked if he was worried by his team’s position in the table, Killick told the Daily Echo: “No. We have games in hand.

“I’m concerned at the gap between us and the play-offs but I’m not concerned about the other.

“The worrying thing is the gap to the play-off places is growing. In the past month, we have had a strong squad and that has not reflected in the results. But given a bit of time, it will.

“Whether that is enough to propel us into the play-offs, we will have to wait and see.

“I’m confident we will have a strong second half of the season.”

Poole had a decent shout for a penalty after two minutes against Gosport when James Constable – fresh from committing to Dolphins on loan for the rest of the season – was brought down. However, referee Matthew Rushton saw nothing untoward.

Luke Roberts was also denied a spot-kick with play brought back for an earlier infringement, before the hosts took the lead on the half hour.

Constable’s flick-on went to Roberts and he fired into the corner of the net, despite Pat O’Flaherty getting a hand to the ball.

The lead lasted just seven minutes, Ryan Pennery beating the offside trap and slotting past Luke Cairney.

Sam Griffin headed wide of the target before the half-time whistle sounded.

After the break, Jack Dickson was showing plenty of energy and his powerful run was stopped by a well-timed challenge, the Poole man later hitting the post.

Marvin Brooks volleyed well over following good work by Jordan Alawode-Williams, while Cairney was not unduly troubled by another effort from Pennery.

A presentable chance was missed by Gosport substitute David Gerrard, moments after he had entered the fray.

And Sam House, who had also come off the bench, directed wide of the upright in the closing stages.

Killick had few complaints with the display but admitted it had lacked sophistication in attacking areas.

He said: “I thought the performance was reasonably good. We dominated the game for large periods, particularly in midfield.

“It was a combination of us not being quite sophisticated enough in the last third and Gosport defending very well, particularly in the second half.

“That meant we couldn’t get the second goal we needed.

“Gosport played a big part in that. They got everyone behind the ball and were very good in the way they defended.”

Poole are next in action on Tuesday when Dorchester Town visit Black Gold Stadium.

Supporters will be segregated during the fixture.

Dorchester are a point clear of the drop zone having won seven of their 23 league games.

Dolphins: Cairney, Alawode-Williams, Smeeton (House, 79), Spetch, Leslie-Smith, Dickson (Gillespie, 68), Griffin (Grange, 60), Moore, Constable, Brooks, Roberts. Unused subs: Bedford, O’Connor (g/k).