Following disappointing league results, manager Mark Poulton had pinned his hopes on cup success, to end what has been a very tough final three months of the season on a high.

Sadly, it didn't happen for them and it was only near the end that they managed a serious effort on goal.

Fleet – who finished their season in the top three of the Rymans League and beat VT FC at St Mary's to win the Hampshire Senior Cup – quickly took control and put Hayling under severe pressure.

And while Bryn McKie's superbly flighted free-kick on 80 minutes from the edge of the Fleet penalty area was certainly the best goal of the match, it was nothing more than a consolation for Hayling.

Hayling keeper Tony Harrop was outstanding and, but for his efforts and those of central defender Jason Mann, the final scoreline would have been far worse.

As it was, Fleet did manage to find the net three times, though it took them until the dying seconds of the first half to break the deadlock.

Douglas – grandson of former Blackburn and England wing-forward Brian – blasted a shot past Harrop.

On 65 minutes Tom Bird poked Nathan Smart's far post cross beyond Harrop before Bernard Asanti finished off a neat move by tucking in a third.

Humbugs boss Mark Poulton, who saw his side fail to win any of their final 15 Wessex League matches under his charge, said: "We came up to Fleet full of hope but it just didn't happen for us and that's disappointing.

"But at the same time, we have been beaten by a more senior side that compete in the Rymans League and I'm delighted with my players who gave it everything.

"And more than that I can't ask of them."

United now face a tough summer trying to rebuild a side that has undergone tremendous upheaval - first when Matt Parr arrived as manager last summer, and which was turned upside down following a number of high profile departures when he left to take over at Fareham in February.