SWINDON Supermarine will head into the final day of the Southern League Premier South season with an extremely slim chance of reaching the play-offs despite a vital 2-1 victory over rivals Poole Town on Wednesday night.

Lee Spalding’s men are three points below the dotted line in sixth but can steal a top-five place should they beat another play-off rival in Chesham United, Poole lose to 18th-place Hendon away, and there be an 11-goal swing between the two teams on Saturday.

Marine knew they had to claim three points in order to even reach this point in midweek, and they managed it in quite dramatic circumstances – coming back from a goal down inside the final five minutes.

Poole began as the better of the two sides, but there were very few chances of note until around half an hour into the contest when Harry Williams shots straight at Luke Cairney in the centre of the goal.

Joe Tumelty followed suit with a header five minutes before the break, and up the other end, Josh Searle was forced to steer Corby Moore’s fierce drive wide.

But seconds before the half-time whistle was due to blow, the Dolphins took the lead anyway when Tony Lee powered a header into the bottom corner via a right-wing cross.

A couple of tactical adjustments by Spalding at the break allowed the hosts to up the ante in the second half, but the crucial equaliser was proving elusive. Meanwhile, top scorer, Williams was forced off injured to make matters worse for Marine.

Just as it looked like Poole would hang on to end Marine’s season early, the Spitfires turned the game on its head from the 85th minute.

A dangerous corner fell to Ty Duffus, and the centre-back slammed home at the near post to begin the comeback.

After Brad Hooper’s dangerous run in stoppage time ended with his shot being dragged wide, there was still time for one final chance – and Marine took it.

Jamie Edge’s in-swinging corner ricocheted around the box before attempting to be lashed clear by a Poole defender. But the clearance struck Tom Sharpe and bounced into the net for a fortunate home winner.

Elsewhere, Highworth Town prepared for their upcoming relegation play-off game against a step-four side with a 4-1 loss to already-relegated FC Romania in Southern League Division One Central on Wednesday night.

Ollie Rejek had equalised for the Worthians, but the home side emerged victorious with a pair of second-half strikes after a late first-half effort.