STEVE Devlin helped Poole Town to derby-day glory and then set his sights on promotion to the Southern Premier – and beyond.

The talented playmaker is adamant Dolphins are ready to climb the non-league ladder and insists the Dorset club is “on the up”.

Ex-Dorchester Town star Devlin was speaking after having a hand in two of the goals as Poole claimed a 3-1 victory over neighbours Wimborne Town at Tatnam yesterday.

The Southern League Division One South & West play-off contenders stunned their local rivals with two goals inside the opening five minutes from Dan Cann and former Wimborne hotshot Scott Joyce. Will Spetch scrambled home a third after the break before Nathan Peprah-Annan’s excellent header provided some consolation for Magpies.

Dolphins’ chances of success have been enhanced since Devlin shocked the semi-professional circuit by stepping down two levels from Dorchester to sign a two-and-a-half year contract with Poole in January.

The 26-year-old is hoping to make his switch pay dividends – by helping Poole eventually rise to Dorchester’s Conference South level.

Devlin told the Daily Echo: “The club’s aim is to get out of this league.

“Looking at what they are trying to do with the new ground and the prospect of what they could achieve, we are looking to get up into the Conference South. That is where we want to be and it is a terrific level to play at.

“For us to do that, it is not going to be easy. The remaining games this season will not be easy and I’m sure the play-offs won’t be easy.

“But if we work hard, keep doing what we do and keep training hard, then we have got a good chance of climbing the leagues, which is what the club want to do.”

Devlin continued: “It is a good club and they are on the up. That is the reason I came here so, hopefully, we have got good times ahead.

“We have got good players and players that want to win. The club has got the backroom staff to help them go higher and I think they have got everything in place that they need to go higher.

“I had always heard good things about Poole. When I was at Dorchester, I heard that they were a good club.

“The club is not what I expected – it is better than I expected it to be.”

Devlin says Poole are not worried about facing any team in their division – or the league above.

He added: “Since I have been here, I haven’t seen a team better organised than we have been.

“We don’t fear anybody in this league or, probably, in the league above.”