LEE Wort’s hat-trick secured Sholing a place in the quarter-finals of the Hampshire FA Senior Cup last night.

But boss Dave Diaper felt the Boatmen were slightly fortunate to go in 1-1 at half-time before pressing on for a 4-2 victory away to Sydenhams Premier outfit Newport IoW.

Former AFC Totton winger John McKie opened the scoring for Newport on 37 minutes but, seconds later, Wort brought the Southern One South & West visitors level.

Daniel Mason put Sholing ahead early in the second half and, though Tom McInnes quickly made it 2-2, the Islanders were undone by Wort strikes in the 75th and 79th minutes.

“Newport deserve all the credit,” said Diaper. “If they’d taken their first-half chances it could have been a different story.

“They had good movement and should have scored more.

“We showed character in the second half and worked hard in a nip and tuck game.

“But, fair play to Newport, you can see why they’ve only lost one out of 14 in the Wessex Premier.”

Sholing join AFC Bournemouth, Eastleigh, Gosport Borough, Alresford Town, AFC Totton and GE Hamble in the last eight. Totton & Eling do battle with Havant & Waterlooville next Wednesday for the final place.