SHOLING stand between Team Solent and a third successive Southampton Senior Cup triumpn

Dave Diaper’s Boatmen will face James Taylor's Students at St Mary’s (date to be confirmed) after an extraordinary 3-2 extra-time win over Brockenhurst at Follands Park.

Surely one of the longest semi-finals in the competition's history, the epic all-Sydenhams Premier Division battle took three hours to complete.

Linesman John Bungay pulled up injured and, after a delay of 13 minutes, Rod Burt, who was there as a spectator, stepped into the breach.

The score was 1-1 at that stage with Mitchell Speechley-Price’s first-half opener for Brockenhurst snuffed out by TJ Cuthbertson’s 25-yard strike.

With no further goals, the tie spilled into extra time and, when Ryan Long restored Brock’s lead after 104 minutes, it looked as if the Foresters were heading for the lush, green pastures of the Premier League.

Sholing, though, had other ideas, striking twice in the second half to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory.

Marvin McLean picked a perfect time to score his first of the season with a side-foot volley from Lee Wort's cross.

Then on 113 minutes, Brock were dealt a killer blow.

Kev Brewster played a ball over the top for leading scorer Dan Mason to run on to and beat on-rushing keeper Callum Maher for 38th goal of a prolific campaign.