SWINDON Supermarine must improve on their Saturday performance against Staines Town if they are to add to their points tally when facing Poole Town tonight (7.45pm), admits manager Lee Spalding.

Three late goals helped secure Marine what appeared to be a comfortable victory on paper against the division’s bottom club at the Webbswood Stadium three days ago.

That performance lifted Spalding’s troops five points clear of the relegation zone and to within 10 points of the play-off frame.

Despite not allowing himself to get carried away, Spalding admits his side are looking up as oppose to down.

And tonight’s game against recently relegated Poole is set to play a big part in Marine’s bid to push themselves up the table given both teams are deadlocked on 33 points, with only goal difference separating them.

Spalding said: “We can’t be looking around at what other teams are doing.

“Away from home, it’s important that we pick up the odd points here and there – even if they are just draws.

“Then we need to make sure we win our home games. If we do that, we’ll be in and around it.

“We’ve got a good group now, the squad is strong. But I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for us to not focus on what is happening below us, what is happening above us is of more interest.

“Looking at the teams ahead of us, there are only 10 points until the play-offs.

“I’m not getting carried away, that’s a silly thing to do.”

Poole enter tonight’s game in indifferent form, having rescued a recent slip in results by beating Tiverton 2-0 at the weekend.

“Poole have still got a lot of very good players,” said Spalding.

“A long journey in mid-week is never easy, it’s important that we prepare properly for the game.

“We’re on the same points as them, only goal difference is separating us – it’s a big game.

“The set-up down at Poole isn’t fantastic. But the players they have onboard makes it a very strong squad.

“We’re under no illusions that it will be a tough evening, and we will have to perform better than how we played on Saturday (against Staines) if we are to get anything out of the game.

“I will back the players, I know that they will turn up and hopefully we can add more points to our tally.”