SHOLING have lined up a plum home FA Cup tie against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday, September 3.

Dave Diaper’s Boatmen booked their first qualifying round date with the Hawks by coming back from behind to beat Bashley 2-1 on a blustery afternoon in the New Forest.

After a cagey opening 15 minutes, with both teams trying to acclimatise to the 60mph winds, it was Bash who took the lead after referee Jake Topp had pointed to the spot for handball against Alex Sawyer, who was booked into the bargain.

It was a decision that bewildered the Boatmen and their mood was not enhanced when Will Heather placed the penalty beyond Ryan Gosney into the right-hand corner with 18 minutes gone.

But Sawyer soon reaped his revenge as Sholing drew level on the stroke of 45 minutes and then forged ahead in stoppage time.

Marvin McLean, celebrating his 29th birthday, picked out Jamie Bulpitt 20 yards from goal. He, in turn, set up Sawyer, who smashed the ball home for 1-1.

And with the half-time whistle approaching, the Boatmen struck again when the imposing figure of Pete Castle – an ex-Bash player - rose highest to nod in Sawyer’s inswinging corner.

Halfway through the second half, Sholing skipper Byron Mason appeared to be caught by an elbow on the blind side of the referee.

Keeper Gosney was booked as he raced to the captain’s defence and Mason had to leave the field for over four minutes to stop the bleeding, briefly reducing the Boatmen to ten men.

Speaking after the game, Bashley boss Tom Prodomo said: “I was delighted with the way the boys played with and without the ball.

“There are clear lessons to be learned from the last few minutes of the first half, but we move on and look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Sholing return to action on Friday with a home game against Lymington Town in the Sydenhams Premier Division (August 26, 7.45pm).