DURING their previous spell as a Southern League club, Sholing rarely finished outside the play-offs.

But on Saturday it was their hosts Stratford Town who guaranteed themselves a top-five finish with a 2-1 South & West victory over the Boatmen in Warwickshire.

Stratford, currently second, took the lead on 18 minutes when Joe Halsall stabbed home from Aaron Moses-Garvey’s corner.

Sholing were convinced goalkeeper Rory Anderson had been pushed in the process, but the goal stood.

Sholing, still stuck like glue in 17th, levelled on 69 minutes through sub Nick Watts.

But Stratford extinguished the Boatmen’s hopes of well-earned point when sub Tyrone Fagan headed the winner ten minutes later.

Taking issue with Stratford’s opener, Sholing boss Dave Diaper said: “We’ve conceded a poor goal that shouldn’t have been given.

“Someone’s pushed into Rory and it should have been a foul, but it’s fallen to their guy who’s banged it home from three yards.”

Like so often this season, injuries did not help the Boatmen’s cause.

Winger Marvin McLean bowed out at half-time with a groin problem and centre-back Pete Castle lasted only five minutes of the second half, also due to a niggly groin.

Defender Dan Miller played the whole 90 minutes with painful Achilles tendons, while loan forward Lewis Blackmore pulled out of the trip due to illness, meaning young Declan McCarthy got his chance playing just behind main striker Daniel Mason.

“We were in control first half, but the injuries upset the balance of the team,” said Diaper.

“Even so, we deserved something from the game. It’s the best we’ve played for three or four months movement-wise.

“TJ (Cuthbertson) put a header just past the post in the last five minutes, but it wasn’t to be.

“I was pleased with the performance, our attitude was superb. That’s the second week running we’ve lost by a single goal to a top-two team (following a 1-0 home defeat by Merthyr).

“It’s frustrating because, with a full team, we could have been pushing mid-table.”

Sholing face a different type of challenge tomorrow afternoon when bottom club Bashley visit the Silverlake Arena (1pm).

The New Forest outfit lost 5-0 at home to Didcot Town on Saturday and, with third-to-bottom Fleet winning, are now mathematically doomed to relegation.

Sholing skipper Byron Mason should be back after resting his troublesome Achilles on Saturday.

Diaper will also ask Miller to fight through the pain barrier and “give us what you’ve got” before he jets away for a fortnight in America.

Admission on Monday is ‘pay what you want’ for adults (£1 minimum) and free for kids. There will be a hog roast and beer tent inside the ground.