POOLE Town manager Tom Killick thinks AFC Totton are the team "best equipped" to win the race for the Wessex Premier Division crown.

That was Killick's view after watching his side's own championship hopes rocked by a home defeat at the hands of their nearest rivals on Saturday.

A first-half brace from Ashley Jarvis proved enough for Totton to claim maximum points from the Tatnam clash and, with the win, they moved above Poole to the top of the table.

Killick, who believes Poole and Totton are involved in a five-horse race with Wimborne Town, VT FC and Bournemouth Poppies, was honest in his appraisal of the match.

He said: "The first half was quite even and we had a very strong penalty appeal in the first minute, which the referee didn't give. And we had three quite good chances in the early stages but unfortunately didn't take any of them.

"They scored two quick goals and that made life very difficult. In the second half I thought we'd come out and have a real attempt at trying to get a goal back but we didn't ever really get going and I thought they were better than us.

"It was a bit strange because in the first half I thought we were better and we conceded the two goals in that half.

"On the balance of play they deserved to win. They were a bit too good for us on the day."

Asked about Totton's championship credentials, Killick said: "I don't think they're technically as good as the Wimborne players. They aren't as good as Wimborne or VT.

"But they're stronger physically than both those sides, so they're just as effective in their own way.

"They're probably the best equipped team to win it. They play to their strengths."

The Dolphins boss is hoping his team can still be involved in the battle for honours when the season draws to a close.

"We've got to make sure we maintain our own position," Killick told the Daily Echo.

"We want to have something riding on every game. I don't like it when you get involved in meaningless games from February.

"We had 430 people there on Saturday and if we can stay in contention I'm sure we can have some more big crowds - that's what we want. We don't want to let things drift."

Poole Town: Harvell, Yelland, Brown, I Richardson, Funnell, C Smith, Robinson (S Richardson, 60), T Smith, Culliford, Osborne (Sturgess, h-t), Cann (S Smith, 60). Unused subs: Lima, Ayres.