PORTLAND United will be crowned Dorset Premier League champions tonight if they beat mid-table Wincanton Town at Grove Corner (6.45pm).

The Blues need just three points from their remaining two fixtures to be guaranteed of retaining the title they won last season.

And boss Stuart Heath is keen to cross the finish line this evening. He said: “If the players can keep their nerve and their focus then success is there for them.

“Wincanton won’t be easy though. They beat Portland before I arrived so it’ll be a tough game for us.

“We only need three points to win the league and hopefully it will happen tonight. The players have done really well to get themselves into the position they are, they turned their season around back in November and I feel they deserve to win it.”

However, the islanders are without the services of injured striker Adam Linaker, who will now miss the title run-in and the League Cup final with Chickerell United on Tuesday night.

Heath added: “Adam Linaker has a hairline fracture in his shin so he’s out for the rest of the season now and I’m really disappointed for him as he’s one of the best strikers in the league.

“In Chris Reader and Lewis Whyton though, we’re lucky to have proven goal-scorers at this level and above so hopefully they’ll help us over the line.

“We’ve also got doubts over Lloyd Cranny and Ross Doidge so they’ll have fitness tests before the game.

“I feel we’re the best team in the league and hopefully that will be confirmed tonight so that we can relax and enjoy the occasion on Saturday and then prepare for the League Cup final on Tuesday.

“It’s great to be in cup finals but the league is a great test of your strength, endurance and ability.”

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