SYDENHAMS Premier leaders Sholing were not at their best in Saturday's 1-0 FA Vase win at Torpoint Athletic - but the result was all that mattered.

The Boatmen - Vase winners just over four years ago - had a TJ Cuthbertson goal to thank for getting them through a tricky afternoon in wild and windy Cornwall.

"It wasn’t a classic today, with the wind howling around our ears," admitted manager Dave Diaper.

"It was a scrappy game where we were always in control, but didn’t perform to our high standards and match recent performances. But the main thing is that we are in the hat."

The bad weather overnight had eased slightly by the time Sholing left their Plymouth base at around 11am with the Torpoint pitch having passed an 8am inspection.

They arrived three hours before kick-off, making use of the clubhouse to play some relaxing pool and darts in the build-up to the first round proper tie.

Jamie Bulpitt returned to the starting eleven after a two-week injury lay-off and it was a milestone afternoon for Jake Hoole, making his 100th appearance for the Boatmen.

After a scrappy first-half, Sholing finally broke the deadlock on 62 minutes when Hoole sprinted down to the corner flag and sent in a cross that just evaded the heavily marked Dan Mason and fell for the incoming Cuthbertson to meet with a stooping header.

Brad Targett, on for Hoole, almost made victory more comfortable after Sholing keeper Ryan Gosney's long punt down the middle had sailed over his opposite number's head.

The keen, young sub got to the ball just before it went out of play, but from a tight angle, he hit the outside of the post.

Sholing, though, made the long trek home pleased with a fifth win on the bounce and a tenth clean sheet of the season.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) the Boatmen host QK Southampton for the second midweek running, this time in the Russell Cotes Cup. A week ago Sholing ran out landslide 8-0 Southampton Senior Cup winners over the Hampshire Premier League side.