PORTLAND United manager Gary Bailey feels both sides have a point to prove as the Blues welcome Alresford Town to Grove Corner tomorrow (3pm).

The island side conceded a last-gasp goal to Bournemouth on Tuesday to draw 3-3 and the Magpies lost 4-2 to Andover Town.

Bailey was able to scout his opponents on Saturday when they beat Bridport in the FA Cup by a single goal, and he knows they will cause a threat.

He explained: “They are a good side, I was impressed with them down at Bridport.

“They’re quite a sharp and a big side. It goes without saying that we will have to defend better than we did against Bournemouth, especially with set-pieces.

“It is one of their strengths, set-pieces, so we will need to sharpen up on that.”

The Portland manager was left feeling frustrated after the draw on Tuesday and wants his side to react well.

“Both sides have a point to prove,” he added. “But, I’m really keen to take the positives out of the draw, because we were so close to getting a result.

“We know it’s going to be a tough test and we won’t read too much into their league position from last season where they struggled.”

The Blues will be without Lewis Whyton, who fractured his foot on Tuesday night as well as Ross Carmichael and Ashley Weeks.