RIVAL managers offered differing views after claims that Poole Town star Kevin Gill had been “punched repeatedly” during a stormy play-off showdown at Paulton.

Second-half goals from Michael Walker and Steve Devlin handed Dolphins a potentially crucial 2-1 victory against their Southern League Division One South & West rivals on Saturday.

Poole boss Tom Killick later accused Paulton player Adam Mahdi of striking Gill numerous times in the closing stages of the clash, while Paulton manager Mark Harrington claimed Gill had sparked the melee.

Mahdi and Poole substitute Steve Smith were then sent off by referee Matthew Rushton, although Killick claimed Smith had been a “completely innocent bystander”.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “Towards the end of the game, there had been a tackle involving Gilly that was no problem.

“He (Mahdi) just started punching Gilly repeatedly and Gilly fell on the floor and he was punching him repeatedly on the floor. It took a number of people to restrain him.”

Harrington said: “I am not in any way condoning Adam’s reaction, but Kevin Gill elbowed Adam Mahdi off the ball to start the fracas.

“It wasn’t a good thing and something we want to move on from.”

The Daily Echo was unable to contact the Southern League for comment.

Dolphins: Fisher, Clarke, Walker, Baggridge, Spetch (Gill, 70), Preston, Emmerson, Howes, Devlin, Brooks (Smith, 55), Cann. Unused subs: Skelton, Bayston.

• Wimborne Town were dramatically denied a victory over former Magpies boss Alex Pike when Gosport Borough goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore hit an injury-time equaliser at Cuthbury.

Magpies led 2-0 after Jamie Davidson had struck twice in the opening 23 minutes.

But after Ellis Martin had pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 89th minute, Ashmore went forward for a corner and struck a remarkable leveller.

Magpies: Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Roast, Mills, Hubbard, Hill, Bajandouh, Kemble (Cook, 78), Davidson, Jeffes (Taafe, 82). Unused subs: Magookin, Webb, Collins (g/k).

• Mark Gamble fired Bashley into a 25th-minute lead in the Southern Premier clash at Chesham United.

But the hosts scored after the break through Steve Wales and Simon Thomas to complete a 2-1 home win.

Cherries defender Dan Strugnell made his Bash debut after joining on a one-month loan last week.

Bash: Kearn, Strugnell, Oliver, Middleton, Whitley, Casey, Green (Hill, 75), Allen, Stokoe, Gamble, Gillespie. Unused subs: Smith, Penny, Foster, Burgess (g/k).