SHOLING climbed to fifth in the Sydenhams Premier Division with a 4-0 home success over Cowes Sports last night.

It was the third win in a row for the in-form Boatmen, incorporating three clean sheets and 12 goals scored.

The Isle of Wight visitors made the brighter start but, once Dan Mason had opened the scoring, Sholing took control.

Jamie Bulpitt made it 2-0 ahead of young Nick Yeomans scoring a ten-yard volley from Barry Mason’s cross.

The last word went to top scorer Dan Mason who beat three defenders before netting his second of the night – his 31st goal of a prolific season.

League leaders Salisbury endured a frustrating evening at Horndean.

With the scores level at 2-2, the match was abandoned at half-time.

Steve Walker had struck in the 15th and 18th minutes to put Salisbury in command before Horndean cashed in on defensive errors to level through Josh Maloney and Robbie Tambling.

But, with all to play for after the break, the pitch was deemed to have cut up badly at the top end of Five Heads Park and the referee brought proceedings to a premature halt.

Second-placed Blackfield & Langley were unable to cash in because their game at Fareham Town fell victim of a late postponement.

The Watersiders’ lead over third-placed AFC Portchester was trimmed to six points as Graham Rix’s Royals overcame bottom club Folland Sports 4-0 through Louie Castles, Jason Parish, Miles Everett and sub Tom Froggatt.

Second-to-bottom Alresford Town were also out of luck, beaten 3-1 at home by Andover Town.

Ex-Magpie Danilo Cadete opened the Andover scoring before Luke Walker struck twice towards the end of the first half.

Dan Molyneaux pulled one back for Alresford on 50 minutes, bundling home from close range.

Elsewhere, Russell Cook and Sam Griffin secured Bemerton a 2-0 win over Bournemouth Poppies, a late own goal sentenced Newport IoW to a 2-1 home defeat by Hamworthy United and Gary Austin sealed Moneyfields' 1-0 win at Lymington Town.

Mark Barker's brace and a Ryan Long goal eased Brockenhurst into the Sydenhams League Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win at Totton & Eling. A last-four trip to Newport IoW awaits Pat McManus’s men.