CONFIDENT captain Carl Poore insisted Poole Town’s FA Vase dream was still alive after Dolphins suffered a miserable first-leg finale.

Two late goals from holders Whitley Bay handed them a 2-1 advantage following a dramatic semi-final clash at Tatnam on Saturday.

Dolphins looked set to travel to the north east with a one-goal lead after Carl Preston struck on 23 minutes.

But the tie was turned on its head in the closing stages when Bay, who had seen Poole dominate for long periods, levelled through skipper Damon Robson in the 89th minute. The turnaround was completed when Lee Kerr fired home a stoppage-time free-kick.

Bay’s comeback stunned the Wessex League outfit and left them with a mountain to climb going into the second leg of the contest, which will be played at Hillheads Park this Saturday.

But despite the big task now facing his team, skipper Poore remains upbeat about their chances of reaching the final at Wembley on May 8.

He told the Echo: “We can pick ourselves up and I am very confident we can go up there and get the right result.

“I thought we were far superior to them in all areas of the pitch and we just didn’t take our chances. Everyone is a bit disheartened but it is only half-time. We have got nothing to fear.

“They persist to the end and that is why they have won the competition for the past two seasons.

“But I think we have got the quality to go up there and I am confident we can get the right result.”

Discussing Saturday’s match, Poore added: “I thought we started very slowly and the occasion got to a few players’ heads.

“But after that in the first half, we had chances and could have easily gone 2-0 or 3-0 up at half-time.

“They didn’t really create anything and, even in the second half, they didn’t create much. Fair play to him, the lad hit a great free-kick. The first one was a bit dubious for offside.

“But we had chances and you have got to take the chance against these teams.”

The victors of the tie look likely to face Coalville Town in the FA Vase final.

They recorded a 3-0 victory against King’s Lynn Town in the first leg of their last-four showdown thanks to a goal from Lee Miveld and Jerome Murdock’s quickfire double.

Semi-final winners receive £3,000 in prize money, with the Vase champions in line for a £15,000 windfall. The runners-up will pocket £7,000.