STEVE Devlin’s last-ditch screamer maintained Poole’s perfect start to the season at Chippenham – and silenced boss Tom Killick in the process.

Dolphins’ midfield dynamo levelled from the penalty spot before his spectacular 25-yard rocket flew past Bluebirds keeper Ben John as the clock struck 90 to seal Poole’s 2-1 win at Hardenhuish Park.

Devlin, who signed for an undisclosed four-figure fee from Dorchester Town in January 2012, played a significant part in Poole’s Division One South & West title success after stepping down two divisions to join the Dolphins.

And after Poole’s two-year slog to promotion, Killick is delighted to see one of his leading lights shining on the Premier Division stage – even if a third goal in two games has exceeded his manager’s expectations.

The Dolphins boss told the Daily Echo: “In a drunken moment, I told Devs he would not get eight goals in open play or 12 overall this season, and I think he is trying to shut me up by banging them in from all angles!

“He strikes the ball so well and that has always been a very strong part of his game – the goalkeeper didn’t get near it.

"In some ways, I feel like it (Devlin’s transfer to Poole) should never have come to pass. He was a regular in the Conference South for Dorchester and, like a few other players, he deserves to be playing at this level.

“I was always slightly uncomfortable with asking players of that calibre to drop down so I am pleased we can now give the likes of Devs the opportunity to play at this level.”

Dolphins: Hutchings, Clarke, Cummings, Oliver, Whisken, Pettefer, Davies (Elliott, 90), Devlin, Gillespie (Byerley, 74), Preston, Cann. Unused subs: Dibba, Rowe, Thomas (g/k).

  • In the Wessex Premier, Christchurch blew a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat at Fareham, while Bournemouth Poppies lost 4-0 at Winchester.

Priory: Frampton, Walker, Bernard, Speers (Hoey, 70), Legg, Blackburn, Smith, Fairbrother, Saul, Purdy (Doe, 70), Burden. Unused subs: Homan, Frewin, Meyer.

Poppies: Lillington, Ayrton, Jackson, Clarke, Bartlett, Pearce, Cooper (Batchelor, 55), Masson, Andrews, Burgis, Phillips. Unused subs: Corby, Robinson, Saadi, Turner.