It has been an unhappy festive week for Alex Pike and Gosport Borough.

Pike watched his team slip to another defeat - this time at home to Poole Town and managed by his former player Tommy Killick - without several key players as off-field problems directly affected matters on it.

Four players declared themselves unavailable for the Boxing Day clash with the Dolphins stating their intention to leave the club as soon as possible. Dan Wooden, Mike Carter, Warren Bentley and TJ Cuthbertson were all missing while Brett Poate failed a late fitness test but was still named as substitute on a day when Boro' failed to fill their quota on the bench.

The quartet should now resolve their futures this week. Life went on without them as the team that did take the field put in a pleasing and dogged display and were never really out of the game until Richard Gillespie's 71st minute second goal for Poole ended the affair as a contest.

Pike also has a huge injury headache ahead of next Monday's return fixture against Poole at Tatnam with Josh Carmichael limping off late on. This leaves the popular midfielder with a race against time to be fit for the New Year's clash and avert a further headache for Pike and his management team to resolve.

The absences of Wooden and co ensured starts for Scott Walters, Charlie Higgins and Ollie Bailey while Boro' were only able to name two substitutes.

A lively opening quarter of an hour saw plenty of action at both ends but no clear chances with a pleasing Boxing Day crowd of 631 watching on.

Burbidge’s cross from the right for Poole picked out Roberts at the far post but he directed a free header wide of Gosport keeper Nick Jordan’s post. But the Dolphins weren’t to be denied for long as a tremendous goalmouth scramble was ended by Steve Devlin turning the ball in a tight angle after some frantic defending from the home side proved to be to no avail.

Poole continued to press with Oastler almost scoring an own goal with an attempted clearance hitting his own bar and a long range effort from Devlin almost deceived Jordan who scampered back and made the save.

Gosport had their moments with Ollie Bailey snapping at Poole’s heels but the home side failed to really trouble their former goalkeeper Nick Hutchings in the first half.

Bailey had Gosport’s first real opportunity of the second but Alex Pike’s and Gosport’s afternoon took a turn for the worse as Carmichael was caught by a challenge and was injured, not being able to continue. Matt Page came on for the stricken midfielder.

Adam Brice gave Boro' their best moment of the afternoon to date with a blistering shot from distance which Hutchings kept out as the home side finally began asking the right questions. However Poole kept the pressure on with a series of corners which had Gosport on the back foot.

The home side survived a terrific goalmouth scramble in which Poole seemed certain to make it two,which they did with 19 minutes left. A sweeping move down the right saw Gosport cut wide open and Gillespie turned the ball high into the roof of Jordan’s net. He was then promptly substituted.

Gosport’s substitutes both proved their worth with Page’s long distance, rising effort being well held by Hutchings while Alfie Lis on his home senior debut had a decent 15 minute run out. Whilst Poole remained in command, Gosport had sporadic efforts on target such as Harding’s 81st minute effort which was easy for Hutchings to deal with.

One thing is for sure, Boro' must end their awful recent league form before they are dragged into another fight - this time a relegation scrap. The week leading up to the return fixture in Dorset will surely see the off-field situation move forward, hopefully allowing the management team to fully concentrate on matters on it.