THERE was heartbreak at the death for Poole Town on Tuesday evening as Winchester City goalkeeper Luke Cairney scored a last-grasp equaliser against his old team in a 1-1 draw.

Manager Steve Tully made two changes from the FA Trophy defeat on Saturday with Antonio Diaz and Rafa Ramos coming into the starting eleven.

The match commenced with a high-paced tempo at The Charters Community Stadium; Poole went close early on through Portuguese striker Ramos, but he was unable to convert.

Winchester City had the biggest chance of the half as Tommy Wright was denied due to a fantastic block from Harry Thomas.

Despite the Dolphins dominating possession, the half drifted to a goalless close with an even number of chances for both sides.

The second 45 got underway with the home side on the front foot, with Cam Plain being called into action on multiple occasions.

Poole went close through Jake McCarthy on the 54th minute but his long-range effort was well held by Cairney.

The hosts thought they had taken the lead on the hour mark after Wright was denied at close range after his effort crashed off the post.

Only a few moments later, the deadlock was finally broken, and it was Poole who took the lead through Antonio Diaz.

A fantastic ball from Jake McCarthy allowed Diaz to run through and delightfully dink the helpless Cairney to give the Dolphins a 1-0 lead on the 65th minute.

Winchester pushed hard in search of an equaliser, but Cam Plain was in an invincible mood and somehow managed to deny the Citizens front line once again.

The Dolphins went close to doubling their lead late on through Ramos after a great ball in from Charlie White, but Ramos’ header glanced just wide of the post.

Poole thought they had done enough to earn all three points, but the hosts weren’t finished yet.

In the closing seconds of the game, Trevor Caborn was brought down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot, awarding Winchester a penalty.

In this scenario there was only one man who was going to step up and that was Winchester goalkeeper Luke Cairney.

Cairney smashed his penalty down the middle and despite Plain’s best efforts to keep it out, the ball dubiously rolled over the line and the former Poole goalkeeper salvaged his team a point with the last kick of the game.

The full-time whistle went, and the points were shared in a game that can only be described as a ‘non-league classic’.

After the game, manager Steve Tully said: “It feels like a defeat, it hurts but we’ve got to dust ourselves off and go again on Saturday.”