AFC TOTTON'S injury and unavailability nightmare continued in Sunday's 4-0 FA Vase exit at Maidstone United.

Manager Stuart Ritchie went into the tie without five first-team players and lost left-back Pete Clark after half an hour with a twisted ankle.

The Stags hope to have defender Lee Thorn (holiday) and goalkeeper Ben Shawyer (work) back for tonight's Wessex League visit of VT FC, but front-runner Mark Osman is still suffering with breathing problems, Scott Munday - a right-sided midfielder signed from Lyndhurst - has groin trouble and midfielder James Sherrington is away.

Reflecting on Sunday's early Vase exit, rookie manager Ritchie said: "Maidstone are not a bad side, but I heard their wage bill's two and a half grand a week. We can't afford to lose five players for a game like that."

The draw for the first round proper of the Vase has thrown up an all-Wessex derby on October 23 with Louis Savage's new-look Fareham side entertaining Moneyfields.

There could be another Wessex duel at Christchurch if Bemerton beat Bridport in tonight's second qualifying round replay at Western Way.

FA Vase first round proper (local ties): AFC Wallingford v AFC Newbury, Amesbury v Bridgwater Town,Cullompton Rangers v Wimborne Town, Brockenhurst v Thamesmead Town, Christchurch v Bridport or Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Cowes Sports v Hungerford Town, Deal v Petersfield, Erith Town v BAT, Fareham Town v Moneyfields, Lymington Town v Mile Oak, Oakwood v Alton Town, Shepton Mallett v Bournemouth Poppies.