MARVIN Brooks provided some late Christmas cheer with a dramatic winning goal for Poole Town at Dorchester.
The hosts, reduced to nine men following red cards for former Dolphins Neil Martin and Nick Hutchings, looked to have done enough to grind out a 0-0 draw in the Southern League South clash.
However, Brooks popped up in the 89th minute to break the deadlock and earn Poole a big three points.
Tom Killick named an unchanged side from the defeat at Salisbury for the game, which had been switched from Poole's Black Gold Stadium to The Avenue in Dorchester.
But he was called into an early switch with striker Harry Baker forced off through injury.
Josh Carmichael and Jake Smeeton both missed chances during a goalless first half, before Dorch saw Martin dismissed for bringing down Brooks 10 minutes after the restart.
Goalkeeper Hutchings quickly followed, with Shane Murphy called on from the bench.
The substitute stopper was in inspired form to keep Poole at bay, until the death where Brooks provided the killer blow to tap in from close range.
Dolphins: Cairney, Leslie-Smith, Smeeton (Spetch, 71), Whisken, Maybury, Dickson, Carmichael, Moore, Holmes, Brooks, Baker (Tavares, 17 (Pardoe, 63)).
Unused subs: Jackson, Phillips (g/k).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here