STEVE Devlin slammed home a late penalty as Poole Town returned to the top of the Southern Premier courtesy of a thrilling 3-2 win over Cambridge City.

In a game that saw three spot-kicks awarded – one of them missed by Devlin – the midfielder held his nerve to convert an 89th-minute penalty that earned Dolphins three points.

The Tatnam side are now guaranteed a minimum of a play-off spot this season, with automatic promotion to Conference South still in their grasp.

Despite their eventual victory, Poole found themselves up against it early on. Cambridge skipper Buster Harradine hooked a hopeful cross to the far post and under pressure from Adam Murray, home captain Jamie Whisken headed into his own net.

The hosts, who had assistant James Wood in the dugout in the absence of banned boss Tom Killick, came close to a swift reply but Devlin’s volley was tipped over the crossbar by Zac Barrett after the ball had bounced fiercely up off the turf.

An even better chance went begging minutes later when Harradine clipped Marvin Brooks late in the box and after referee Matthew Lee had pointed to the spot, Devlin’s meek effort was parried behind by Barrett.

Just when Cambridge thought they had escaped danger, Dolphins equalised. From Devlin’s resulting corner, Barrett crashed to the deck as he attempted to claim and striker Joe Quigley gleefully nodded into the unguarded net.

Josh Dawkin fired wildly over in reply before Matt Lowe strode purposefully forward and directed a well-struck effort just wide of the left upright.

Despite the visitors’ chances, Poole had begun to look a greater attacking threat and they hit the front for the first time in the 26th minute.

Quigley made a nuisance of himself in the penalty area and eventually the ball dropped to his fellow Cherries loanee Mason Walsh, who hammered a thunderous half-volley straight into the right corner.

City lost Chris Bacon to injury just after the half hour but rallied to an extent in the quiet latter stages, although their best chance of that spell – a header from Murray – was easily gobbled up by home keeper Nick Hutchings.

Devlin tried his luck early in the second half but his drive from range looped kindly into the arms of Barrett after the ball had deflected off a defender.

Poole appeared comfortable against a willing but unspectacular Cambridge side but the hosts suffered a blow when Marvin Brooks hobbled off just after the hour and was replaced by the experienced Keith Emmerson.

Concern around Tatnam deepened when the Lilywhites pulled level in controversial circumstances. Pepper appeared to be nudged on the corner of the area and after debate between the officials, a second penalty was awarded.

Dawkin gave Hutchings no chance as he smashed emphatically into the top left corner.

The goal knocked Poole off their stride and Quigley was shown a yellow card for a trip on Murray, the front man substituted minutes later with Luke Roberts thrown on.

And it was Roberts that won a crucial late spot-kick, the substitute felled by a clumsy challenge as he burst into the box.

With little over a minute remaining, Devlin stepped up and crashed into the top-right corner from 12 yards.