VERSATILE Dan Cann plundered a sensational hat-trick after being moved up front to add pep to Poole Town's attack.

Cann fired the Sydenhams Premier title-challengers ahead in the 19th minute and then added two more after the break.

Andy Culliford bagged a brace and Stuart Brown and Steve Smith also hit the target as Poole increased their tally of league goals to 111 in 37 games.

It keeps them hot on the heels of leaders Totton, whose scheduled match at Christchurch was called off because of an unfit pitch.

Poole are two points behind with both sides having seven games left, while Wimborne are sandwiched between both one point adrift of Totton with one match in hand.

Dolphins manager Tommy Killick said: "It was just nice at this stage of the season with everything so tense to get an early goal because we were able to relax.

"Dan got a hat-trick. He is a very versatile. He has been playing at the back but can also play up front.

"We played him up front and he did well, scoring three goals, so you have to pick him out as one of the key players in this win.

"But it was a good all round team performance, probably the best we have played for two or three weeks."

Hayling restricted the deficit to 2-0 at half time, but Poole plundered five goals in the last 25 minutes to boost their goal difference to plus 81, the best of the championship chasers.

Taffy Richardson, sidelined for six weeks following a hernia operation, returned as a second-half substitute for Dolphins, prompting Killick to say: "That was pleasing.

"He came through without any injuries or problems.

"It's important for the run-in that we do have a bit of luck in keeping players fit.

"Taffy is the heartbeat of the team in lots of ways. It's massively important for us to have him back."

Killick, however, still insists Poole only "have an outside chance" of lifting the title.

He said: "With the points VT dropped in their draw at Cowes Sports on Friday, and the other four top sides all winning, it's almost the same as we were before the weekend.

"The only thing I'm a bit worried about is I've looked at Totton's run-in and I can't see them dropping any points, other than possibly in their last game of the season against Vosper.

"We have some tricky games coming up and it will be difficult for us, but we still have an outside chance of the title.

"I think an outside chance because we are relying on more than one team dropping points.

"You would have to make Totton favourites at this stage."

Poole Town: Harvell, Whitley, I Richardson, Hogan, Gill (S Smith 60), T Smith, A Culliford (Ayres 70), Holmes, Skelton (S Richardson 55), Brown, Cann. Unused subs: Roberts, Saadi.