SHOLING’S position at the foot of the Southern Division One South & West might not “make sense” – but it still sends a nasty shiver down boss Dave Diaper’s spine.

Any chance the Boatmen had of climbing out of bottom spot were sunk on Wednesday when their scheduled home match against Swindon Supermarine was called off at 7pm due to a frozen pitch.

Diaper took the opportunity to have quick chat with his opposite number, Marine boss Dave Webb, and they agreed that having Sholing and second-to-bottom Yate Town propping up the table was mystifying given the proven quality of the two clubs.

In their three previous Southern League seasons, Sholing have never failed to make the play-offs.

As for Yate, they defied their poor league form by making it through to the FA Cup first round proper this term, humbling Conference National giants Newport County along the way.

“The Swindon manager said that everywhere they go people are talking about Sholing and Yate being down at the bottom and saying that we’re in a false position,” said Diaper.

“Everyone’s aware that we should be at least mid-table and I must admit that it’s a really weird feeling to be down where we are.

“Generally when a club’s down at the bottom, there’s a reason why they’re not a decent outfit, but that’s not the case this year.

“In previous seasons there were always three or four ‘freebie’ points, but there are none in this league now.

“Yate were bottom when they played at (high-riding) Merthyr Town last week and they beat them 2-1.

“It doesn’t make sense that ourselves and Yate are where we are, but I still don’t like the look of it.

For full story and more non-league, don't miss today's Daily Echo.

“We’ve got as many as eight games in hand over (mid-table) Evesham, but we’ve still got to win them.”