CHICKERELL United boss Maurice Welch believes that defeat for either side in the 1-1 draw at Poole Borough would have been unjust.

The Chickens opened the scoring at Turlin Moor Rec on the hour-mark courtesy of the returning Nick Etherington. But the lead did not last long and the hosts were soon level thanks to a wonder strike.

Welch, whose side climb to third in the Dorset Premier League as a result, said: “It was a very fair result as neither side deserved to lose. Poole played some good football but we had the chances in the first half whereas they didn’t cause too many problems.

“It was 0-0 at half-time but we went 1-0 up on the hour when Nick Ethering-ton went through and beat their keeper.

“Five minutes later though, they scored a great goal and we couldn’t do anything about it, their player hammered it straight into the corner.

“Both sides tried to win the game. They had the majority of play but they found it hard to break us down.

“Andy Hall blasted over from six yards and Warren White had an effort saved by their keeper. They hit a post at the end so it could’ve gone either way.

“But it would’ve been hard luck on the side that lost.”

Welch was pleased to see striker Etherington and defenders Graham Biles and Andy Graham all return to the fold following injuries but is now sweating over the fitness of Dan Welch.

He added: “The only real negative was that Dan picked up a rib injury and is struggling to breathe so I’m waiting to see how he is.

“It was good though to see Andy Graham get through 82 minutes, Nick Etherington get through 90 and Graham Biles have no reaction to his injury.”

Chickerell, who are on a 17-game unbeaten run, host lowly Sturminster Marshall on Saturday (3pm).

Chickens: A Weeks, Graham (L Weeks 82), Biles, D Welch, Smith, Evans, Roper (Morgan 80), Sibley, Hall, White, Etherington.