The plastic tool isn't the best but even when you use an input shaft, it needs checking and some wiggling before it's properly centered.
Tested again today:
while gearbox is properly mounted at the back and bellhousing resting on a beam on chassis, with one wheel off the ground and in gear
pickup the engine, line up the clutch center and input shaft and threaded ends at the holes, put them together, turn the free wheel to help the input shaft align it's splines to the clutch plate.

A slightly different method, which has worked every time when refitting an engine to a gearbox on my own.
Car with wheels on the ground, in 4th gear and a trolley jack positioned under the gearbox, lifting the front of the gearbox to the correct height.
Note that the trolley jack must be aligned so that it will 'follow' the car.
Offer the engine up to the gearbox and when it's close to the point where the splines on the input shaft and clutch plate are about to engage, nudge the car backwards to rotate the input shaft...

Never had much luck with those plastic alignment tools, a scrap input shaft in combination with the spigot bearing being replaced if it was worn saves any grief.

As an alignment tool I just used a deep socket 3/8 drive which fitted perfect the crank and the clutch (sorry cannot remember which one but easy to try before)

thanks so much for all the advice fellas its sorted now with the help of your suggestions
should be back on the road tomorrow