Tamworth 1 v 1 Southport

Tamworth had an early chance as Alex Rodman’s shot on goal slipped through Tony McMillan’s hands in the sodden conditions, allowing Gareth Sheldon the chance of firing the rebound, but the defence got back to clear the ball for a corner.

But it was Southport who took the lead on nine minutes when Shaun Whalley crossed a high freekick from deep on the left wing over to the back post, where Michael Powell headed the ball home, climbing above the static defence.

Tamworth had a glorious chance to pull level just before the half hour when the referee waved away half-hearted appeals for a penalty as Powell cleanly took the ball away from Sheldon in the box, with the resultant corner getting through to Jake Sheridan who sliced his shot wide. The pressure from the home side finally paid of minutes later as Bradley Pritchard produced a fantastic cross from the left wing over to Jake Sheridan who volleyed the ball home from close range.

Sheridan had a chance to double their lead within minutes as he was released down the centre of the field, and with Shaun Gray escorting wide, the final low shot was blocked by McMillan, as Southport were able to clear their lines.

Southport had to soak up the pressure from the home side early in the second half, but Tamworth’s final ball in the box was the saving grace as the defence stood resolute.