SUMMER signing Tom Hewlett spared Poole Town’s blushes with a late equaliser against Downton at The Nest.

In a pre-season friendly against a side who compete two leagues below in the Wessex Premier, Hewlett’s goal secured Dolphins a 2-2 draw, adding to Jake McCarthy’s earlier strike.

Poole, still without a permanent goalkeeper on the books, were dealt an early blow when Antonio Diaz was forced off injured.

But the visitors took the lead on 27 minutes, former Weymouth man McCarthy firing into the bottom corner.

Downton equalised 11 minutes into the second half through Joe Smith, before Poole turned to their bench, with rolling substitutes in operation for the evening.

McCarthy went close to putting Poole back in front, before Downton snatched the lead four minutes from time via Aidan Shepherd.

But there was still a chance for Dolphins to at least level the contest, former Burton Albion forward Hewlett smashing in.

Poole have now played six pre-season friendlies this summer, winning three, drawing one and losing two.

Steve Tully’s side next go to Exmouth on Friday (7pm).

Dolphins: Trialist, Hanger, Staunton, Whisken, Hoey (Hewlett, 60), McCarthy, Diaz (Cooper, 19 (Whitbread, 67)), Lowes (Slade, 60), Forbes, Davis, T Holmes (Lowes, 67).