PORTLAND United boss Brendon King is searching for an improved display ahead of the Blues’ Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division tussle at Tadley Calleva tomorrow (3pm).

Last time out, King’s men beat Cowes Sports 3-1 at the Weyline Stadium but the manner of the performance was heavily criticised by the Portland boss, who claimed the islanders’ play had been “lazy”.

The win for second-placed Portland against 18th side Cowes never seemed in doubt, but King is keen for a better showing against a Tadley outfit who have already drawn twice with his team this season.

He told Echosport: “We’ll be looking for an improvement in our performance, for sure, because if we go up there and play like we did, we’ll get beaten, simple as that.

“Tadley are no mugs. We’ve drawn twice with them so far in the league at home and the cup at their place.

“They’ve signed some players, some handy players, so it will be difficult. They know about us, they’ll be looking at us thinking we’re second in the league on a good run. Likewise, it’s going to be difficult for them. We know we can give anyone in the league a good game, but we’ve got to be at our best.”

Portland, who are chasing a ninth straight win in all competitions, signed goalkeeper Mike Edgar from Dorchester this week to provide competition for Sean Lillington after Jordan Tewkesbury, now at Alresford, joined Christchurch in December.

King said: “We’ve only got one keeper and competition’s good. We’ve seen him play last season, he played for Bashley against us at Hamworthy and played really well. We saw him in a couple of other games and he did really well, so it’s a good signing for us.”

Ed Bastick and Shaun Bessant have returned to training, while Alex Godfrey (stomach) is a doubt.