PORTLAND United boss Gary Bailey has voiced his frustration that the issue of Moneyfields’ potential points deduction has not been concluded - despite the end of the season being just days away.

His comments came after the Sydenhams Premier top-two had secured 1-0 away wins yesterday – leaders Moneyfields at Andover Town and Portland at Newport IoW.

Captain Lewis Whyton buried Portland’s first-half winner, while Moneys’ skipper Steve Hutchings grabbed Moneys’ 86th-minute decider at The Portway.

With Moneys having one game remaining and Portland two, five points separate the sides.

But the issue is clouded by Moneys’ appeal against a three-match deduction for fielding an ineligible player.

Bailey, whose Portland side face their penultimate test against Team Solent on Tuesday (7.45pm), said: “We’ve gone into the last week of the season and neither ourselves nor Moneyfields know where the finishing line is.

“Obviously if it (the points deduction) doesn’t happen, then the gap is significant. But if it does, then winning the league is in our hands.

“The league finishes on Saturday and going into your last games you need to know what cards are on the table. At the moment it’s all up in the air, and that’s no way to be approaching your last few games. For fairness on everyone, you want to know the ramifications of what you’re getting into.”

With Blackfield & Langley beaten 2-1 at Bashley, Sholing could yet finish third if they win their final game at home to Team Solent on Saturday and Blackfield lose to Fareham at Gang Warily.

Dan Mason's goal gave Sholing the 1-0 edge at Brockenhurst on Saturday.

At the other end of the table, Fawley boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Whitchurch, courtesy of Kieran Roche, Aaron Lucas and Callum Tanner.

With one game to go, the Oilers have leapfrogged Whitchurch into third-to-bottom spot with three to go down, but lurk just a point behind Cowes Sports.

This Saturday’s final round of fixtures sees Cowes host Amesbury, Fawley host Brockenhurst and Whitchurch away to Hamworthy.