With VT FC engaged in an FA Vase tie this was an opporunity for Poole Town to use up their game in hand and extend their lead to four points at the top of the table.

Simon Browne dropped to the bench along with Stuart Brown as Dave Sturgess started in midfield (Skelton moving to defence) and Steve Smith started alongside Charlie Austin. New signing from Hamworthy Recreation John Wyatt also started on the bench.

Poole were out of the blocks quickly when from a corner on the left, after just 3 minutes, the ball eluded everyone but found Lamin Dibba at the far post and his shot was pushed away by the keeper. Poole were looking for an early goal but it just wasn't to be and Alresford looked pretty well organised and closed Poole down quicker than most to deny them time and space in which to play.

On 18 minutes Dibba crossed into the box, Gill hooked it back across onto Taffy's head and he set up Austin for a volley which went just over the bar. It was a good move but was the exception rather than the norm. Poole looked to be overplaying a bit at the back and after 22 minutes Skelton gave the ball away and Poole were faced with a 2 V 2 situation. The ball eventually found the Alresford number 7 but his shot went over the bar when well placed.

The crucial moment came on 26 minutes. A good Poole move saw Dave Sturgess sent clean through and as he shaped to shoot he was brought down. A penalty was awarded and after consultation with the linesman the referee deemed the Alresford player to be the last man and he was given a straight red card. Austin made no mistake from the penalty spot.

With a man advantage Poole created numerous chances but their play still lacked that sparkle that has been so prominent for most of the season. On 29 minutes Austin had another volley go over and four minutes later Lamin Dibba thumped a towering header towards goal but the ball was hacked off the line with the keeper beaten.

Steve Smith had a fierce shot saved by the keeper who clutched the ball to his chest at the second attempt and Kevin Gill also had a couple of long range efforts go over the bar. Right on the stroke of half time Alresford got a freekick just outside the Poole area and the curling kick just missed the corner of the crossbar and right post. It was a warning to Poole that the match was not yet secure as they walked off at the break.

Half time: 1-0.

Stuart Brown replaced Mike Walker for the start of the second half, but operated on the left side of midfield rather than his usual position up front. Again Poole failed to get anywhere near top gear in the second half as it all looked a little casual at times.

The decisive goal came on 59 minutes. Taffy Richardson broke away clear down the right (though it did look a couple of yards offside) and he picked his moment perfectly to slide the ball square to Steve Smith who took a touch and fired across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

On 63 minutes Austin produced a brilliant run diagonally from right to left and having got to the line he turned and teed up Stuart Brown but the ball rolled under his foot and the chance was lost. This summed up the Poole display - touches of great football in places but ultimately there was a lot of huff and puff with little end result.

Wyatt and Jordan Fisk replaced Taffy Richardson and Steve Smith respectively on 64 minutes and with the points secure Poole basically just saw out the last third of the game. Again it got a bit sloppy at times much to the friustration of manager Killick and credit too to Alresford for keeping going and never giving up.

On 75 minutes Brown cut in from the left and with the space opening up he surged forward before setting Austin free and the young hotshot fired in his 25th goal of the season. A couple of minutes later and a Gill cross was knocked away only for Sturgess to hit a volley just wide of the post. Austin again showed some magic as he dribbled through two or three players before the keeper again pulled off a good save at his feet.

The blip of the day came late on, the 87th minute when Alresford broke and a simple square ball found the number 9 unmarked and he placed it past Harvell to secure Alresford's deserved consolation goal.