PORTLAND United coach Stuart Heath says the Blues have every right to be confident as they prepare to travel to Shaftesbury this evening in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division (7.45pm).

The Blues are enjoying a hugely successful start to the season so far, having risen to second in the table with 29 points, albeit 10 points behind runaway leaders Sholing.

Heath said: “We go there with confidence and we have got every right to be, we are on a good run with a good points tally so we will just look to continue that run really.”

Portland face a Shaftesbury side that are 14th in the standings as part of a crowded mid-table that sees eighth place and 17th place separated by just five points.

Heath praised Shaftesbury, who have won three of their last five matches, but have also lost their last two games.

Heath said: “Every away game especially in this league is tough and Shaftesbury are on a decent run.

“They are having a good season, they have got some experienced players playing for them.”

Heath says the Blues are just looking to keep their good run going however, but says that Portland cannot afford to drop points at the Rockies.

Heath told Echosport: “From our perspective we will just look to keep our good run going.

“We have got ourselves in a good position in the league and with that comes pressure to be consistent.

Heath continued: “We cannot afford to drop points, so we will go to Shaftesbury with the aim of winning the game and keeping our run going and keeping that position in the league that we have worked so hard to get.”

Darren Watts and Ryan McKechnie will be unavailable for Portland, but the Blues can boast the return of Steven Walker and Jamie Beasley.

Looking ahead Heath just wants the Blues to take advantage, he speaks of Christmas being a key point in which Portland can evaluate their position, and hopes that they can stay in touch with leaders Sholing.

Heath said: “We have got ourselves in a decent position in the league so we want to take full advantage of that between now and Christmas.

“We want to stay in touch with the one or two teams above us in the league and then at Christmas we will evaluate where we are.”

Portland United travel to Shaftesbury tonight (7.45pm).