PORTLAND United manager Gary Bailey insisted it was “a real positive” to have midfielder Gareth Will back in action, after he fully recovered from a knee injury.

Will came off the bench to get 30 minutes during the island outfit’s 3-1 defeat at Amesbury on Wednesday night.

Bailey, whose side have already claimed the Sydenhams Wessex Division One title, was by no means concerned about what was only their third league loss of campaign, and was happy to have Will back in action.

Speaking about the former Weymouth man’s comeback, the Grove Corner boss told Echosport: “I am really pleased to see Gareth back playing again.

“He got a solid half hour in and looked sharp, which was a real positive after the scare we had a while ago. We thought it could have ended his season.

“He goes under the radar and is a manager’s dream really. He just does the job you ask him to do, wherever you ask him to play.

“He works his socks off and he has had a good season at this level. I am pleased that he is going to be fit for the last two games.”

After both sides had half chances in a scrappy opening at Bonneymead Park, it was the home side who took the lead on 33 minutes with a shot that nestled in the bottom corner.

Amesbury then added a second just past the hour mark. A teasing cross tempted Sean Lillington in the Portland goal to try and claim but the hosts managed to convert a second.

Ross Carmichael then pulled one back for Bailey’s charges with a deflected shot which found the net, as the home team dropped deeper.

But Portland were caught again when they threw men forward in a bid to level things up, as the contest finished 3-1, which was enough for Amesbury to secure promotion with island outfit.

Reacting to the reverse, Bailey added: “Obviously we are disappointed that we lost but I can’t say I am devastated by it to be honest.

“We came up against an Amesbury Team who were at polar opposites to us. We were over the line and crowned as champions and they were desperate to secure promotion and second place.

“It was always going to be hard to drag out that extra bit that you need when you go to places like that, on the back of what we have already achieved.

“We are not going to let it take the shine off the fantastic week we have had.”

Portland will be presented with the league trophy after Saturday's home clash against Totton & Eling (3pm).

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Whyton, Carmichael, Bessant, Doidge (G Will 60), Halloran, McKechnie, Morris (Camp 70), Godfrey (Mutch 85), McClements.