SHOLING had ‘head boys’ Luke Dempsey and Dan Miller to thank for keeping them mathematically involved in the Sydenhams Premier title hunt.

With 68 minutes gone against rock-bottom Verwood Town, it was all square, 1-1, at the Universal Stadium.

But goals by central defenders Dempsey and Miller changed all that as the Boatmen eased to a 3-1 victory.

It keeps them fourth in the table, 15 points behind leaders Moneyfields with two games in hand.

With Micky Hubbard’s corner causing problems for the Verwood defence, Jake Hoole headed the ball across the box for Dempsey to nod in his first Sholing goal from a yard out.

Then on 74 minutes it was Miller’s turn to strike, arriving in the six-yard box to meet another inswinging Hubbard delivery with a powerful header.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, Lee Wort had given Sholing a 12th-minute lead, cutting infield on his left foot before seeking out the bottom corner for his 14th goal of the season.

Despite their lowly league position, Verwood matched their lofty hosts for much of the game and responded on 32 minutes when Charlie Gajic’s through ball split the Sholing defence and Jordan Fisk rounded keeper Ryan Gosney to score.

Sholing boss Dave Diaper said: “It was a very good performance by the lads against a spirited Verwood team.

“The league is for Moneyfields to lose, but we will push them all the way.”

Sholing are back in league action at the Universal Stadium tomorrow evening (7.45pm) for a Valentine's Day showdown against mid-table Bemerton Heath Harlequins.