SHOLING, winners of the 2013/14 FA Vase, made an unconvincing start to this season’s campaign on Friday night.

The Boatmen were taken to extra-time by US Portsmouth of Sydenhams One and, with no winner forthcoming, face a second qualifying round replay at Burnaby Road on Monday.

Sholing fell behind on 18 minutes when Jimmy Cuthbert nodded home from a corner.

Portsmouth held that lead until 20 minutes from time when Dan Miller rose to head in Jamie Bulpitt’s left-wing cross – the goal standing despite US protesting that the ball had gone out of play.

Under FA rules, the game went into extra-time and it was Portsmouth who came closest to nicking it when Matt Magro’s venomous cross-shot struck the near post.

Sholing will hope to welcome back top scorer Dan Mason on Monday after he pulled up in Friday's warm-up