POOLE Town dropped closer to the Southern Premier League South relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat away at fellow strugglers Plymouth Parkway.

Dylan Jones’ 71st minute strike was enough to separate the two relegation battlers at Bolitho Park.

Goalie Max Evans was a late drop out ahead of kick-off, having to be replaced by deputy Lloyd Thomas due to illness.

A gritty performance followed, with little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side.

The best opportunities came in the second period.

Jones headed the ball on the crossbar shortly after the hour mark, a threat of what was to come.

10 minutes later another corner found Jones’ head, this time his effort on target and past Thomas.

Late on Poole thought they had salvaged a point when captain Jamie Whisken smacked the crossbar, the resultant scramble in the box somehow not ending up in a Dolphins goal as goalkeeper Adam Parkes dived on the ball to thwart the danger.

Poole drop to 15th in the league table, just three points above Plymouth Parkway in the final relegation spot – Parkway having played three games fewer.

Dolphins: Thomas; Rose, Staunton, Wright, Hutchinson; Murray, Lowes (Whisken, 76), Slade, Samadi (Tshaka, 76); Scrimshaw (Santos, 72), Holmes.

Unused subs: Mayo, Evans (g/k).