MILESTONE marksman Barry Mason clocked up his 500th appearance for Sholing at Bournemouth Poppies on Saturday.

But the Boatmen couldn’t mark the occasion with a celebratory Sydenhams Premier Division win.

Honours finished even in a 0-0 Victoria Park stalemate, leaving Sholing six points shy of title pace in fifth.

Both sides spurned chances before 31-year-old Mason made way for the fresh legs of Nick Yeomans with 74 minutes gone.

Sholing had a couple of late opportunities to snatch victory with Yeomans firing over a gaping goal after Owen Roundell’s shot had come off ’keeper Nick Thomas.

Then, with seconds remaining, Thomas pulled off a smart save to keep out Byron Mason’s power-packed header.

Barry Mason is the third player to join Sholing’s ‘500 Club’, following in the footsteps of Marvin McLean and Marc Diaper.

He played a huge part in their double-winning season of 2013/14, which ended in that unforgettable FA Vase win.

Indeed it was Barry who set them on the road to Wembley, scoring the only goal in a tight 1-0 first round victory at Winchester City.

He is the eldest of three brothers to grace Sholing's first team. Middle brother Byron is club captain while Dan was last season's top scorer.

A club statement said: “Barry remains a big fans’ favourite and everyone at the club congratulates him for reaching 500 appearances for the Boatmen. There will be a presentation at an upcoming home game.”

Sholing will have their hands full tomorrow evening (Tuesday, 7.45pm) when they host buoyant neighbours Hamble Club in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup second round.

The unbeaten Monks are flying high at the Sydenhams One summit with a whopping 52 goals scored and just eight conceded.

Hamble took a break from league action on Saturday to host Winchester Castle in the Southampton Senior Cup.

They triumphed 3-0 through Murray Holmes, Nathan Lynch and sub Jamie Mansell.