POOLE Town boss Tommy Killick was happy to take the positives out of his side's 2-0 reverse to promotion rivals Lymington Town.

Goals from Phil Stone, who was then sent off just before half-time, and Danny Veal raised John Pyatt's men to the summit of Wessex Two while Dolphins slipped into mid-table.

And although their dream of making the jump to Wessex One this season now looks like a tough ask, Killick insisted he couldn't have asked any more of his players.

He said: "We didn't deserve to get beat and you couldn't really blame the players. We did as much as we could of apart from score. On another day, we might have had three or four and they couldn't have complained.

"We put in lots of crosses and hit the woodwork but they defended really well.

"The situation played into their hands a bit as once they were down to 10 men, they were able to defend deep.

"But I have been critical of the boys at times this season but I can't be today. It's a bit of a body blow but we'll keep plowing on."

Lymington manager Pyatt said: "The 10 men worked really hard for the points today and Danny Veal deserves a mention as he operated as a lone striker and gave a masterful display."

Stone was the gleeful recipient of an error of misjudgement from Ollie Cherrett, who tried to allowed a long goal-kick to bounce through to his goalkeeper but allowed in the former Lymington and New Milton man to lob Kevin Scriven.

He was then red-carded just before the break for an off-the-ball kick at an opponent and despite the Dolphins' second-half endeavours, Veal latched on to John Bailey's through ball to put the game beyond the visitors.

Poole Town: Scriven, Spalding, Cherrett, Wood (Reeks 35), Richardson, White, Funnell, Woolfenden (Chivers 65), Brown, Turner, Cornick. Unused sub: Snell.

Ringwood Town did both Poole and Lymington a huge favour as they stunned leaders Locks Heath 4-0 at Long Lane thanks to goals from Andy Wright, Nick Russon (2) and Steve Geary.

In Division Three, Verwood Town suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Yateley Green.