thanks for taking the time to reply.

Andrew, You are spot on. No 3rd gear before.
Couldn't get my head round it, seen one of the workers from the firm and asked him he said it had been missing for weeks, boss only knew about the clutch and I only drove it across the road into my workshop.
Needless to say he wasn't a happy bunny when it was left to me to tell him the bad news.
2nd hand box on way.