POOLE Town manager Tommy Killick has labelled tomorrow's (November 13) Wessex Two top-of-the-table clash with Lymington Town a "must-win game" if their dreams of promotion are to remain intact.

Third-placed Dolphins meet second-placed Lymington at Southampton Road (3pm kick-off) with Killick's charges eight points adrift of John Pyatt's men.

And three points for Poole would prove a massive fillip as they endeavour to stay in touch with Lymington and leaders Locks Heath.

The two ambitious sides were tipped among the likely front-runners this season and although both are well in contention, Poole have suffered some untimely stutters whereas Lymington are currently on a run of six unbeaten in the league.

Killick said: "They are quite a way in front of us and if I'm being realistic, they are not going to drop too many more points between now and the end of the season so it's a must win for us.

"It's been quite open up to now but a win tomorrow and we're that bit closer. A defeat and, although it's by no means over, it's a long stretch.

"They're a very good side with six or seven players who would get in most Wessex One team. The game against them earlier in the season (which Dolphins lost 1-0) was very even and could have gone either way so tomorrow should be a decent game."

One of the driving force behind Lymington's strong showing has been former Cherries midfielder John Bailey. The 35-year-old, who made the move from neighbours Lymington and New Milton in the summer, said: "Confidence is high at the moment. We haven't lost for a while in the league and there is a real buzz about the place.

"We're not as desperate for the points as Poole and will be happy not to lose tomorrow. But we will be going for the win because if we beat them, I can't then see us losing another four games this season.

"I think we're only really three players away from being a top Wessex One side and the club is ambitious and wants to go places."

Dolphins boss Killick will again be suffering the frustration of having to chop and change his line-up tomorrow as he is without Matty Hayfield and Lee and Paul Manning. Striker Anthony Warrington also looks unlikely to make the game.

Killick added: "I've only once managed to pick an unchanged side and it's frustrating as just when you think you've got a system working, you're forced to change things again."

Lymington will be without former Brockenhurst and Linnets striker Paul Sims, who has damaged a hamstring, and Kevin James, who begins 35-day suspension.

Poole Town: (from) Scriven, Bartlett, Welsh, Reeks, Funnell, Chivers, Richardson, White, Cornick, Cherrett, Spalding, Turner, Wood, Brown, Woolfenden, Turner, Harris.

Poole Town Reserves play Allendale at home in the Dorset Senior League with kick-off at 2.15pm and not 3pm.