BOSS Tom Killick was full of praise for Tony Lee after his third and fourth goals of the campaign were enough to seal Poole’s first three points of the season.

Tiverton were the first competitive visitors to the Black Gold Stadium in 252 days, but quickly found themselves two goals behind after 26 minutes, eventually losing 2-1 having been reduced to 10 men during the second half.

Speaking about his frontman’s exploits, Killick told the Daily Echo: “He was hugely good for us during the curtailed season.

“We were desperate to keep him, and we were very pleased to do so. He’s started off in fine form – two goals on Saturday, and two goals on Tuesday.”

Lee bagged a brace against former employers Gosport at the weekend, and he didn’t have to wait long to add to his tally for the season when Luke Holmes was barged over in the box after just 10 minutes.

Ex-Wimborne Town striker Lee was Poole’s top goalscorer last term with 10 goals in just 11 games - including two penalties in his last home appearance - a streak Lee continued by smashing his spot-kick past Tiverton keeper Lewis Williams.

Holmes was again the provider for Lee’s second goal, sending a pin-point cross towards the six-yard box for Lee to head home.

“He just looks a goal-threat every time we go forward,” continued Killick.

“He has the confidence and belief in himself, and I think all top strikers have that mentality.”

Despite being a goal away from a hat-trick twice already this season, Lee has been substituted in both games – something Killick has been forced to do.

“He’s been playing with a knock,” said Killick.

“His hamstring has been playing up, so we’ve had to manage his game time – we’ve taken him off twice as a precaution."

Dolphins’ task was made even easier when Tiverton centre half Gary Warren saw red for a reckless challenge on Jez Bedford, but despite the numerical advantage the hosts couldn’t quite find a third goal to truly seal the game.

“We restricted them to very few opportunities, so although they had a reasonable amount of possession in the first half, I didn’t feel like they opened us up for many opportunities.

“I think in the second half, we just got nervous – mainly because of what happened on Saturday. It sounds ridiculous second game in, but we know there is a pressure to get points on the board having lost our opening game.

“So, I just feel we got nervous. I feel that’s understandable.”

Goalkeeper Mark Childs was called into action twice with two fine saves to deny the away side from point-blank range, but there were fears of a repeat of their injury-time defeat to Gosport when Torquay United loanee Olaf Koszla tapped home in the 88th minute.

“The one thing I have learnt about Tiverton is that they are always difficult and dogged opponents," said Killick.

"Even when things aren’t going their way, they never give up. Their previous manager Martyn Rogers instilled that in them, and I think Scott is exactly the same.

“They have a really good spirit about them. You know they’re not just going to take a defeat – they keep going and going. You know when they got that goal they have this belief that they can go and get something else.

“It was nervous moments in the end. I’m just so pleased for the players, because there was a lot of pressure to get those points with so many good sides in the league. You just can’t be too far behind them.

“We were a little bit ragged in our play generally, including our defending. I hope now that we have seen this through we can be a bit calmer on Saturday.”

Elsewhere in the Southern Premier League South, Cherries loanee Billy Terrell claimed his first clean sheet of the campaign for Wimborne away at Yate Town.

The goalkeeper, who is back for a second loan from Cherries, helped thwart late pressure from the hosts to give Magpies their first point of the season.

The result means Wimborne are now 20th in the embryonic league table, whilst Dolphins rise up to 10th place.

Both sides face Hampshire opposition at the weekend, with Poole hosting Farnborough and Wimborne travelling to Hartley Wintney.

Dolphins: Childs, Rose, Spetch, Whisken (c), Dickson, Bartlett, Moore, Holmes (Wright, 89), Burbidge (Jackson, 72), Bedford, Lee (Fletcher, 75).

Unused Subs: Caze, Wickham.