FOURTH-placed AFC Totton travel to Poole Town tomorrow with powerhouse defender David Goss gunning for a starting place.

Goss, pictured right, has been sidelined with knee problems ever since signing from Gosport Borough earlier in the season.

It was feared he would need an operation but physiotherapy has done the trick for the strapping centre-back, a member of Winchester City's 2004 FA Vase-winning side.

After making his comeback in Totton's reserves just after Christmas, Goss finally got a taste of first-team action on Tuesday, going on as a substitute in an excellent 2-1 home win over third-placed Hamworthy United.

Having had early goals by Mark Piper and Gareth Byers pegged back by a superb Jamie Moores volley, Totton felt Goss's physical presence would help keep the Hammers threat at bay.

"We knew how the game would go with Hamworthy pumping the ball into the box, so we put Gossy on for his height and strength with about 20 minutes left and he did well," explained Stags boss Stuart Ritchie.

Mike Gosney (knee), Toby Redwood (ankle) and late arrival Floyd Hamodu all missed Tuesday's game. "Considering we had three players out, it was a good win," said Ritchie.

"I wouldn't say it was our best performance of the season, that was in the second half against Fareham. But we've been playing well for some time now and we're just getting on with the business."

Hamworthy midfielder John Waldock admitted: "We were not at the races for the first 30 minutes at Totton and that cost us. We just have to bounce back in the next game."

Next up for the Hammers is a visit from promotion-chasing Andover tomorrow.