BOSS Tom Killick admitted he would like to bolster his Poole Town squad but faces the challenge of being “priced out” by clubs lower down the non-league pyramid.

Dolphins missed out on the chance to pocket £5,000 in prize money on Saturday, as they exited the FA Trophy in a 3-1 third qualifying round loss at St Albans City.

Despite having bounced back with a 10-2 win over Wessex Premier Hamworthy United in the Dorset Senior Cup, Killick insisted his recruitment process was hindered by the “financial rewards” at the lower level.

He told the Daily Echo: “At the moment, we have the squad we have.

“We would like to add to it and we need to add to it really but that is probably not realistic, unless it is through loans which don’t really cost you anything, or young players from lower down the pyramid.

“But what I am even finding with that is, for the level of football, I think the financial rewards available in the Wessex League seem quite significant with quite a few clubs.

“The Wessex League has always been a division we would look at in terms of trying to recruit.

“But you are almost being priced out of that because players are earning what they are earning for travelling five minutes down the road, and not really having any sort of commitment in terms of time.

“To come to National South, with all the additional things. Understandably, they are looking for significantly more.”

He added: “That is difficult for us. What you would then be doing is taking a player who is untested at National South level and you are reluctant to commit significant funds.

“Because of the funds they can already earn in that league, it becomes difficult.

“It’s hard but we have to just keep going.”

Poole, who are 20th in National South, on Saturday host league leaders Dartford (3pm) and are looking to end a run of two defeats in the division.

Dolphins are yet to win at Black Gold Stadium in the league this season, having picked up three points from nine home games.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Lindsay, Harfield, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Gillespie, Neale, Dickson, Devlin, Bentley, Balmer, Brooks, Bedford, Moore, Rees.