CONFUSION may have surrounded the identity of Poole Town’s goalscorers but there was no mistaking the heroic nature of the visitors’ comeback.

The 10-man Dolphins staged a stirring second-half fight back and came from behind to snatch a thrilling victory that saw them reclaim pole position in the Premier Division.

In the gathering gloom at Westwood Park, strikers Steve Smith and Charlie Austin both struck within the space of two minutes to settle an absorbing encounter late on.

Both goals were erroneously credited by the Tannoy announcer to Mickey Hubbard, while Luke Whitley’s first-half strike was initially given to Dave Sturgess.

There was no debate, however, when Mickey Walker was given his marching orders, the defender seeing red for handling Joe Rayner’s goalbound header on the line.

His misdemeanour was compounded when Cowes skipper Wayne Newnham converted the resultant penalty to put the Yachtsmen 3-2 in front with just 25 minutes remaining.

But the Dolphins dug deep and made light of their numerical disadvantage, with teenager Smith heading home from Kevin Gill’s cross to level on 73 minutes.

And as the shell-shocked hosts appealed in vain for offside, Austin raced through to net the clincher just seconds later to cap a memorable triumph.

Stand-in boss Steve Cuss, deputising in Tom Killick’s absence, said: “We were disappointed with the goals we conceded but pleased with the fact we showed a lot of character to get a positive result.

“It’s great credit to the players. It was a big ask for 10 men to come back from 3-2 down with 25 minutes to go. But they knew they could go on to win it and that’s what they did.”

Cuss added: “Hopefully, this experience will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. The tests come thick and fast and it was important to keep the unbeaten league run going.”

Lamin Dibba had given Poole the ideal start when he headed home a fifth-minute opener before Cowes stung the visitors by taking the lead with a quickfire double.

Goals from Giancarlo Giancovich, a mouthful for any PA man, and Matthew Evans put the hosts 2-1 up inside 12 minutes, only for Whitley to strike to restore parity seven minutes before the break.

Cuss said referee Patrick Beech had “no option” but to send off Walker, with Sturgess immediately sacrificed in place of seasoned campaigner Steve Richardson whose experience proved vital in the heat of the battle.