STAND-IN gloveman Acer Burton was hospitalised with a serious knee injury in Laverstock and Ford's first round FA Vase exit at Sholing FC.

Burton, who was drafted in after first-choice shot-stopper Alexis Aguer failed a fitness test, suffered a blow to his right knee in the 3-1 defeat.

He was left in severe pain and with a deep cut after saving at the feet of Barry Mason as the 90th minute approached at the Silverlake Arena.

Mason got up, but Burton received attention from Sholing physio Tasha Bowers and two first-aiders while they waited for an ambulance to arrive, and the game was agreed by both managers, after conferring with referee Nigel Whitfield, to end the clash a few minutes early.

Both clubs texted the result to the FA and Sydenhams League as a 3-1 Sholing win but, much to the Boatmen’s surprise, it later appeared on the FA website as an 88th-minute abandonment based on the referee's report.

But the matter was later resolved with the game not having to be re-played and Sholing drawing Buckland Athletic in the second round draw at Wembley.

Joint Lavvy manager Liam McConnell said: "It was a sad way to end an entertaining 90 minutes, credit to the lads, they stood up strong against a side that are looking to regain their trophy."

"On behalf of Laverstock, we would like to publicly thank Sholing's physio and staff for their care and attention while waiting for the ambulance. There was no hesitation on our part to call the game early.

"Acer's a talented goalkeeper with a bright future so to see such an injury happen puts things into perspective."

The 2014 champions took the lead on 14 minutes through a quick, counter-attacking move that ended with Doug Rowe converting at the far post.

The Wessex League's top marksman Dan Mason, Barry's brother, doubled the hosts' lead when smashing home from four-yards.

Six minutes after the restart, Dan Mason scored his second to seemingly put the tie to bed, turning and firing low for his side's third.

Lavvy showed fight and got a consolation from Rob Gallagher eight minutes from time with a neat finish before late drama saw Burton be a casualty of a nasty injury.

McConnell added: "We showed them a little too much credit early on but grew into the game and certainly had the chances to have got something."