SHOLING called it a fluke. North Leigh described it as “a piece of real quality.”

Whatever Michael Hopkins’ free-kick was, it was enough to condemn the Boatmen to their 13th away defeat of the Southern One South & West season at Eynsham Hall.

A game of few chances was settled just short of the hour mark when North Leigh’s Elliott Osborne-Ricketts was fouled and Hopkins’ left-foot kicked curled past a helpless Matt Brown.

The jury is still out on whether it was intentional, but Sholing boss Dave Diaper insisted: “It was a freak goal. The guy’s intended it as a cross and it’s sailed in at the far post.

“It’s disappointing because we played very well in the first half and warranted at least a draw.

“We weren’t so good second half but, if I’m honest, there was nothing to choose between the teams.

“But if you score one, like North Leigh did, it gives you something to protect.

“Even though we didn’t play well second half, we still had two chances. TJ (Cuthbertson) fired inches over and Wattsy (Nick Watts) had an opportunity to create a bit of space, but shot wide.”

Already key players down, Sholing had to take off supporters’ player-of-the-season Alex Sawyer with a groin strain while Jack Smith was carrying a calf problem.

“It’s getting boring now and I don’t want to hide behind the fact that we don’t have a full complement of players, but it doesn’t help when you’ve got people playing with knocks,” said the boss.

“Given where we are, losing 1-0 at North Leigh is no disgrace because they’re not a bad team on their own patch.

“What I would say, though, is that whoever is wearing the shirt for us has got to play for the full 90 minutes and not just 45.”

Sholing, destined to finish 17th, complete their league fixtures at play-off-bound Larkhall this Saturday.

The Boatmen then turn their attentions to the Hampshire FA Senior Cup final against Gosport Borough at Fratton Park on Tuesday, May 5.