SHOLING boss Dave Diaper admitted his side’s defeat in their first FA Vase match since winning the competition at Wembley was “devastating”.

The Boatmen took the lead in extra time after a goalless 90 minutes at Western Premier League Buckland Athletic - only to lose 2-1.

Byron Mason’s downward header at the far post ten minutes into the first period put the visitors on course for a place in the third round.

But with eight minutes remaining a strong wind contributed to a misjudgement from Sholing goalkeeper Ryan Gosney.

His attempted punch clear following a free-kick bounced off his head and into the path of 39 year-old striker Ellis Laight, who scored from six yards.

Four minutes later, 17 year-old substitute Jake Hoole passed inside to Gosney instead of clearing the ball up the pitch.

Gosney's’s attempted clearance only went as far as Buckland midfielder Simon Revell, who lofted the ball into the area for goal machine Gavin Hammon to fire into an empty net.

It ensured a home tie against Bradford Town for Buckland and a first defeat in nine matches for Sholing.

Diaper said: “The manner of the defeat was devastating. To be eight minutes from going through and then being dumped out left me shell shocked.

“We played extremely well, both goals were very unfortunate.

“Ryan played extremely well as did Jake when he came on at the beginning of extra time.

“We’ve all been there and you have to feel for the lad but it’s a learning curve and he’ll be a better player for it.

“They’re a very good team but we nullified their threat. I felt really sorry for our lads after putting so much effort in for 112 minutes. I cannot understate how well we played.

“I was speechless afterwards, all of us were in shock. Even the referee told me he was gutted for us!”

Sholing’s starting line-up feature three survivors from the team that won the competition at Wembley 18 months ago – goalscorer Marvin McLean and Barry and Byron Mason.

“It’s our first defeat in 12 in the Vase and this was as well as we played during that cup run,” said Diaper.

“But we had the rub of the green two years ago and on Saturday we didn’t. That’s football.

“I would have settled for a replay, it didn’t seem quite right that we played extra time before having the chance to finish them off at our place.

“We just have to take that performance into the league and our next game against Team Solent on Saturday.”