Having broken the jinx of beating Fareham Town at Tatnam for the first time on Saturday, the Dolphins were up against another Tatnam bogey side with the visit of much fancied Brockenhurst. Manager Tom Killick was able to field exactly the same starting eleven as that which beat Fareham - the only changes coming on the bench with the return from suspension of Stuart Brown.

With difficult weather conditions once again this was not exactly the most exciting of games but both sides produced football of a standard which should see them both finish comfortably in the top six this season. Brockenhurst have signed some quality players during the summer and it showed. They were a better side than Fareham and during the first half in particular they were a match for Poole right across the pitch.

Goalscoring opportunities were always going to be few and far between in this game and most of the first half saw both sides battling to gain the upper hand. Neither keeper was really called into action with defences dominating. Tricky winger Kevin James looked sharp for Brockenhurst but on the opposite side Poole's Trefor Smith enjoyed a good first half as he went at the Brock defence time after time.

The only noteworthy goal chance came as late as the 43rd minute when Trefor Smith crossed from the right and Charlie Austin out jumped the visiting keeper but headed just wide of the post.

Half time: 0-0.

Stuart Brown replaced Leigh Phillips for the start of the second half and he had an immediate impact on the game. He looked lively up front and his first touch looked sharp and assured.

The all important goal came on 55 minutes. A freekick from Hubbard into the box was flicked on by Taffy Richardson and after a bit of a scramble Charlie Austin managed to bundle the ball over the line to score his first goal for the Club. After this Poole looked much more in control and the superb back line again looked unbeatable on the night. It was all about concentration and they made no mistakes at all.

On 68 minutes Dave Sturgess made his first appearance of the season as he replaced Taffy Richardson and a few minutes later Austin limped off after turning his ankle and Swann joined Stuart Brown up front. With ten minutes left Poole nearly doubled their lead when following a scramble in the Brockenhurst box Stuart Brown prodded a shot towards goal but a defender was on the line to head the ball clear.

A very workmanlike performance from Poole but with such a formidable defence they always looked like taking the points with a single goal. They had to grind this result out but it bodes well for future games.