SHOLING manager Dave Diaper is targeting his first league win since returning to management – and the play-offs.

The Boatmen return to Southern League (S & W) action at the Silverlake Arena tomorrow on the back of two impressive cup wins away from home.

After 2-0 victories at Weymouth in the Red Insure Cup and at Norfolk outfit Dereham Town on Tuesday night in the FA Trophy, Sholing are preparing to welcome Mangotsfield United to Portsmouth Road.

It is fifth-from-bottom Sholing’s second league game since Diaper returned to management following the departure of Mick Marsh last month.

And after losing at home to Tiverton a fortnight ago, Diaper is hoping that his team’s cup form will be evident tomorrow.

He said: “There are still a lot of points to play for and we’re quite capable of putting a run together. We have to set our standards and our aspirations high.

“I’m fed up with people saying we’re happy just to stay in the league. I want to get in the play offs and that’s a realistic target.

“We were bottom two years ago and still finished in the top six. There’s no reason why we can’t do the same again.

“Six months is not a long time but I’m dealing with a very different squad of players to before. It’s one of less ability but big hearts, the players give everything and their attitude has been spot on, the work rate’s been excellent and it was a vintage performance from them at Dereham.”

But Diaper has injury problems.

“Lee Webber’s still got a cut leg, Dan Miller was injured in the first game against Dereham last Saturday, TJ Cuthbertson’s hurt his foot and Sam Olaofe hurt his back on Tuesday so he’ll be missing too.”

But despite that, Diaper was happy to let defender Stuart Mott join AFC Totton this week.

“I never stand in the way of players who want to go and he was unhappy after being left out last Saturday,” said Diaper. “Being a good manager Steve saw an opportunity to sign a player he likes and Stuart takes his football very seriously.

“And Micky Byrne did extremely well at Dereham. He stepped up to the plate and won the majority of headers in the battle with their centre forward.”