LEADERS Sholing struck twice in little more than a minute to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Sydenhams Premier Division campaign.

Saturday's 2-0 home triumph over Lymington Town made it eight wins from eight for Dave Diaper’s Boatmen who are four points clear of chasing AFC Portchester with two games in hand.

Dan Mason set the wheels in motion with his 22nd goal of another prolific season.

Lymington were still reeling from that blow when, seconds later, Alex Sawyer plundered Sholing’s second.

It was an afternoon when the Gosney brothers – Sholing goalkeeper, Ryan, and Lymington set-piece king Mike – were on opposing sides.

And, on this occasion, it was Ryan who came out on top as he and the Boatmen's defence made it 480 minutes without conceding.

Mason, twice, and young Brad Targett had already gone close for Sholing when the deadlock was broken on 24 minutes.

TJ Cuthberton slipped the ball through for deadly marksman Mason who bent his run to stay onside before firing past keeper Nic Jones and into the bottom corner.

Straight from the restart, Sholing won possession and Targett burst down the left wing and dug out a peach of a cross for the unmarked Sawyer to side-foot in from six yards.

Lymington forced a couple of corners which were comfortably dealt with before the Gosney brothers faced up from a free-kick 25 yards out. Mike took it, but his effort was always going wide of Ryan’s goal.

Lee Wort and Targett caused Lymington problems with their pace and both went close to adding to the score.

The visitors were still unable to force Ryan Gosney into any kind of save and Sholing threatened again in the dying minutes when Mason ran across the edge of the box, worked some space and sent a cross-shot inches wide.

Sholing, who have strung together seven wins in a row, entertain Cowes Sports on Saturday (3pm).

The Islanders sit tenth in the table following a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat by Alresford Town.

After Sam Burt had fired the Magpies into a 20th-minute lead, Luke Rae – introduced as a 60th-minute substitute – stole the show with two goals.

Having capitalised on Alex Dockree’s flick from a free-kick to make it 2-0, the super sub sent a deflected shot wide of Ed Hatt in the Cowes goal.

Alresford host Overton United this evening (7.45pm) in the North Hants Senior Cup.