Southport 3 v 2 Stafford Rangers

A remarkable five-minute spell salvaged the points for Southport after a torrid start which saw them fall two goals behind.
The pivotal moment was the introduction of returning favourite Neil Prince, who added a spark to a team who were left chasing shadows.

Port were slow out of the blocks, finding themselves a goal down after only 40 seconds.

Jake Moult’s low ball into the box caught the defence napping, allowing Tom Thorley to tap home at the back post with ease.

Apart from the efforts of Robbie Booth, the home side rarely threatened.

In fact it was little surprise Rangers doubled their lead when David McNiven’s strike deflected off James Connolly straight to Thorley on the right side of the box, who whipped the ball across goal for Nick Wellecomme to head in.

Ten minutes before the break, being completely frustrated of the performance, Liam Watson brought Prince into the action, and impact was immediate.

Matty McGinn’s long throw from the left was flicked on towards Ciaran Kilheeney who was pushed to the ground, but the loose ball fell kindly for Prince who blasted the ball into the net from close range.

Rejuvenated, Southport drew level within a minute as Booth whipped the ball into the box from the right for Steve Daly to head the ball in.

The astonishing turnaround was completed moments later when a Booth corner was headed down by Kevin Lee to the feet of Daly who tapped in.

The climax to the first half failed to spill over into the second half, which was littered with several half-chances.

McNiven had a chance to claw the scores level as he cut inside the Southport box, but his choice to fire towards the near post proved no problem to Tony McMillan.

Near the end, Chris Clements had a glorious chance to equalise as he found himself one-on-one with McMillan, but the Port keeper did well to block the chance with his legs.

Danny Mitchley worked well to create a grandstand finish for the home side, but his shot on the turn just sailed over the bar.

It is second against third tomorrow evening, as Southport entertain Tamworth at Haig Avenue in a must-win match for both sides.