ASSISTANT boss Stuart Hussey was disappointed with Sholing’s result but heartened by their performance against Tiverton Town.

Having knocked the Devon outfit out of the FA Trophy a week earlier, the Boatmen had high hopes of repeating the trick in the Southern One South & West.

But Tivvy exacted sweet revenge at a soggy Silverlake Arena, coming back from behind for a 2-1 win which leaves 18th-placed Sholing with work to do to achieve mid-table security.

With the rain hammering down in Portsmouth Road, the Boatmen went ahead midway through the first half when Jack Smith let fly left-footed from 25 yards into the top corner.

The Boatmen should have had more, but saw their slender lead wiped out three minutes after the break when Jimmy Hinds was allowed too much freedom with Hussey lamenting: “He should never have got as far as he did.”

Sholing’s failure to shut the danger down cost them again just after the hour when Owen Howecashed in with what proved to be the winner.

With ten minutes remaining Sholing goalkeeper Lee Webber, in for the unavailable Matt Brown, hobbled off with a cut knee, leaving defender Mike Byrne to take over between the sticks.

Hussey, taking charge in the absence of manager Dave Diaper, reflected: “We gave a dominant first-half display and were on top in every department, but we didn’t put our chances away.

“But although we’ve lost, I felt it was another step forward.

“The effort, commitment and attitude of the players was much better.

“The lads were all pulling together and they didn’t give up. It’s just a shame we didn’t take our chances. Barry Mason and Sam Wilson have had shots and Alex Sawyer went through one-on-one and could have killed the game.

“The players came off very disappointed and I was surprised how much they care.”

Manager Diaper and ’keeper Brown will be back for tomorrow’s Red Insure Cup trip to Premier Division outfit Weymouth.

Winger Marvin McLean is still out with a toe injury and striker Sam Wilson is touch and go after sustaining a cut above his eye.