STUART Heath is expecting to see a reaction from his Portland players in tomorrow’s home clash with Sturminster Marshall (3pm).

The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat at rivals, and upcoming Dorset Premier League Cup final opponents, Chickerell United on Tuesday night.

And the island boss is keen to get his side’s title bid back on track with others now waiting to pounce.

Heath, whose side remain at the summit, said: “Tuesday was disappointing but it just proves that the team is not unbeatable. Sometimes you can gain positives out of a defeat and I am trusting the players to provide a reaction in the last three league games and the cup final.

“We do, however, need Westland Sports to slip up now because if they win all their remaining seven games, and we win ours, then they would win the league by a point. If they do that then they deserve it.

“All we can do is make sure we pick up nine points.”

Tomorrow’s visitors to Grove Corner lie third from bottom but have enjoyed a mini-revival of late, losing just once in their last five league fixtures.

A wary Heath, whose men narrowly won 3-2 at Marshall back in February, added: “Sturminster have won their last two and it was A tough game when we played them at their place – we got out of jail really.

“We need to get back to playing how we can and if we do that then I’m confident we can win our last three games.”

Midfielder Ross Doidge is unavailable for tomorrow’s game while striker Adam Linaker is doubtful due to a knee injury.

Blues (from): Carroll, Perkins, Cranny, Clarke, Dailey, P Lambert, Dixon, Litherland, Marshallsay, Halloran, Lamb, Lane, Reader, Whyton, Linaker.