NEIL Middleditch revealed how defeat at Somerset had been a wake-up call for Pirates and urged his team to “move forward” against Swindon.

Poole had picked up at least a point in the 15 meetings prior to their trip to the Oaktree Arena on Monday.

But the Rebels – inspired by maximum man and former Pirates asset Jason Doyle – earned a 51-39 victory to send their visitors home with nothing.

Poole team boss Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “When you look at the league, it is the tightest I’ve ever seen it. All bar one team is capable of making the play-offs.

“Nothing is guaranteed, even at this late stage of the season, so we have to bounce back from Monday’s defeat.

“It was a bit of a wake-up call. We had been in a rich vein of form but went up there and got beaten heavily.

“They are a good side and are top of the league for a reason. There are no complaints from me, we just didn’t work as a unit.

“The boys were very disappointed but you have to put these things behind you and move forward.”

Swindon’s play-off bid has stuttered of late, with Alun Rossiter’s septet failing to earn SGB Premiership points in three of their past four meetings.

Middleditch added: “I’m sure Rosco will be reading them the riot act like I was when we were languishing at the bottom.

“They are our local rivals and Rosco will want to put one over me.

“It is a very important meeting for us. We have to get back to winning ways.”