It was a tough afternoon for the Boatmen as league leaders Merthyr Town ran out comfortable winners to all but secure promotion.

First half goals from Cole Jarvis & Tom Handley and a late Kane Simpson strike were enough to see the Martyrs secure three priceless points on a rainy afternoon on the South Coast.

It was tough from the get go for Sholing as Merthyr showed why they are top of the pack.

Merthyr nearly took the lead inside the first ten minutes, but Harry Taylor put his body on the line to keep the score level.

It was a set piece that lead to the deadlock being broken on twelve minutes, with Cole Jarvis volleying home following a deep free kick in to the Sholing box.

Sholing battled away in search of a leveller, with Dan Mason & Blaise Riley-Snow linking up excellently in their attempts to break down a tough Merthyr rearguard.

Merthyr did eventually get their second just after the half hour mark, with skipper Tom Handley heading home from a corner.

The rain continued to teem down as the second half got underway, with Sholing battling away in search of a way back into the game.

With Sholing chasing a goal to half the deficit, Merthyr got their third to all but seal promotion, with Kane Simpson powering home.

Well beaten on the day by a top side, The Boatmen will be looking to bounce back quickly as we take the short trip down to Dorset to face Wimborne Town on Monday afternoon with a 3pm KO. To be followed shortly by our final home game of the season next Saturday at 3pm versus Bracknell Town at The Mortgage Decisions Stadium.