JAMES Granger clinched newcomers Poole Town their third consecutive 1-0 home win of the Vanarama National League South campaign, this time at Margate’s expense.

Signed by Poole just prior to the start of the season, 19-year-old midfielder Granger was on non-contract terms at Eastleigh and initially dual-signed for the Dolphins in their Southern League days.

But, with Poole promoted, the ex-Pompey youngster was signed on a full transfer earlier this month with the agreement that he would return to the Silverlake as and when required by former Spitfires boss Chris Todd.

Tom Killick’s Dolphins had a narrow escape on 23 minutes when Margate’s Michael Thalassitis shot against the post and goalkeeper Nick Hutchings thwarted Elliott Buchanan’s follow-up.

Poole had a dream chance to go ahead on 50 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for handball, but Steve Devlin's effort was saved by Reading loanee ’keeper Lewis Ward.

Man-of-the-match Hutchings pulled off another top-drawer stop when Thaliassitis’s shot deflected off Jamie Whisken, but it was Poole who made the all-important breakthrough with 78 minutes gone.

Ex-AFC Totton man Luke Roberts set up the winner, threading the ball through for Granger to calmly send the keeper the wrong way.

Poole clung on for victory despite losing skipper Whisken to a late red card.

The Dolphins are up to sixth spot, three points ahead of mid-table Gosport Borough who fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat at newly-promoted East Thurrock United, winners of the Ryman Premier play-offs.

It was 1-1 at half-time with Borough's Tom Bird snuffing out Joe Gardner’s early strike, but East Thurrock ran away with it after the break through Harry Honesty (2), Joe Ellul and Michael Freiter.