ASSISTANT manager James Wood is backing Poole Town talisman Steve Devlin to quickly erase the memory of his Bishops Cleeve penalty miss.

Devlin, who has boosted Poole’s Southern League promotion push since arriving in January, was errant from the spot during their 1-0 win in Gloucestershire on Saturday.

The 26-year-old former Dorchester midfielder screwed his effort horribly off target after Carl Preston had been felled by Bishops defender Sam Avery in the 20th minute.

However, Devlin, who has helped the Dolphins to eight wins and a draw in his 10 appearances for the club, was relieved to see Dan Cann net a controversial second-half clincher.

Cann’s strike 20 minutes from time saw Poole remain firmly in the hunt for a Division One South & West play-off place – and also sparked angry protests from the Villagers.

The hosts were convinced Cann had handled – not once, but twice – in the lead up to the goal and vented their fury at referee Daniel Jacecko after he had allowed it to stand.

Poole assistant boss Wood, deputising for absent manager Tom Killick, told the Daily Echo: “If the penalty had gone in, it would have given us a little bit of breathing space.

“Steve was disappointed and he apologised to the lads afterwards. But I know he will come back. He will take the next one and will smash it straight in the top corner.

“He is a top-drawer player and credit must go to Tom and the board because he has been a fantastic signing for us. He gives us the quality that we need.”

Victory helped fifth-placed Poole maintain a seven-point cushion over the chasing pack ahead of today’s eagerly-awaited Dorset derby with Wimborne at Tatnam (11am).

And although seven of the top eight claimed maximum points on Saturday, a win over the Magpies, coupled with defeat for rivals North Leigh and Paulton Rovers, would guarantee Poole a play-off place.

Wimborne manager Steve Cuss, who oversaw a 1-1 draw with Didcot on Saturday, told the Daily Echo: “Poole have taken to life in the Southern League very well and are looking particularly strong at the moment.

“I think they would be a good bet to win the play-offs and would go into them in good form. They have had a really good season but we will be doing everything we can to try to beat them.”

Wimborne welcome back from suspension linchpin defender Paul Roast, while Dolphins pair Keith Emmerson and Glenn Howes could return after missing the Bishops Cleeve triumph.