Sholing manager Dave Diaper is asking for self belief from his injured-hit Boatmen ahead of their FA Trophy third qualifying round tie against Conference South Farnborough at the Silverlake Arena tomorrow.

Diaper’s side, who play two leagues below Borough in the Southern League South & West One, have won four of their last five games, including an impressive 2-0 win at Norfolk club Dereham in the second qualifying round last week.

They have done that despite carrying an ever expanding injury list.

The Boatmen’s walking wounded now counts at seven.

First and second choice goalkeepers Matt Brown (broken finger) and Lee Webber (cut leg) are both out.

That means if dual-signed custodian Rory Anderson can’t be brought from Brockenhurst, it will be up to 16-year-old rookie stopper Jordan Brookes to foil Farnborough.

With Marvin McLean (ankle), Barry Mason (neck) and Dan Miller (foot) all out, the majority of the side that won the FA Vase last season is almost completely disbanded for this Trophy tie.

Kane Crisp, who injured himself falling down the stairs, and Sam Olaofe (hamstring) make up the injured seven.

Although Diaper recognises that it isn’t an ideal situation, the boss, who led the Boatmen to Vase glory and took back control as manager after the departure of Dave Fear and Mick Marsh, is looking for a bit of self belief from his depleted team.

“We’ve won four out of five games,” he said. “So we’re not doing too badly, but when you’re playing a team from a couple of levels higher you want to have a fully fit team and not have so many injuries.

“It’s difficult, I’m struggling to remember how many players I’ve got out, that’s just how bad it is. I’ve ask Pat (Brockenhurst manager Pat McManus) for Rory Anderson, so we’re waiting on that.”

On Farnborough, he said: “They’re going to be tough, there’s no doubt about that.

“Spencer Day is wanting to turn their fortunes around, they’ve got a lot of loan players in from clubs like Peterborough, Leyton Orient, Exeter City, Woking, so they’re going to have that quality in their squad.

“They’re expected to win.”

Since returning to the helm, Diaper has been busy instilling a drive into his squad that has been in indifferent form in the league so far.

“There’s a long way to go,” he admits. “But the lads have been playing with big hearts over the last five games.

“There’s a desire and passion among the group, which is really important.

“It’s about getting self belief into the players. It’s been waiting to come out and it’s been galvanised in the last few weeks.

“These are players that have that commitment.

“It showed at Dereham last week. In the two visits we showed big character.”

And he’s hoping that will continue against the Cherrywood Road side.

The Trophy tie reminds Diaper of one particular occasion when Sholing played Farnborough when Garry Haylock was in charge of the north east Hampshire side.

“It reminds of a game in 2011 in the Hampshire Senior Cup,” he said. “No one gave us a chance.

“But we played with self belief and came away with a 3-1 win, which took us to the final at St Mary’s.

“If Lady Luck is on our side, and we play with that self belief, then you never know what might happen.”