In the context of Southport’s season, it could mark a hugely significant moment. Ciaran Kilheeney’s last-gasp penalty, awarded with only seconds of added time remaining, salvaged a hard-fought point for Liam Watson’s side – and with their game in hand on leaders Tamworth scheduled for Wednesday, the draw at Highbury Stadium may prove to be the first step forward in a season-defining week.

In a highly competitive contest, the result was testament to Southport’s perseverance; a battling display against an impressive Fleetwood side, who also provided a stern physical test. The equaliser came after Kilheeney’s shot had struck the raised arm of Nathan Pond, allowing the striker to dispatch his first goal in 10 matches, squeezing the ball past the dive of goalkeeper Danny Hurst. Having taken a deserved lead in the final quarter of the game, Fleetwood should have extended their advantage, but after surviving a number of near misses, Southport finished strongly and will be satisfied with a potentially precious point.

Tamworth’s failure to beat Redditch means the Sandgrounders lie four points behind the league leaders and have the opportunity to apply some serious pressure when they next take to the field at Hyde. The presence of striker Steve Daly, absent with a groin strain, was sorely missed, and Southport’s injury concerns were compounded after eight minutes by the withdrawal of goalkeeper Tony McMillan, who required stitches in a head gash sustained after a poor challenge by Pond, and an ankle injury to Kevin Lee. The crowd of 1,511 was the highest for a league match this season at Highbury Stadium, which now boasts an extremely impressive set-up after recent development work.

The visiting Southport fans were penned into a small corner of the ground, but they contributed fully to a vibrant atmosphere on a sun-drenched afternoon. Chances were at a premium during a tight first half, though the home side created the more dangerous openings with Sean Clancy, the former Southport player, deployed on the left side of midfield, involved in a number of Fleetwood’s best moments during the opening period. Clancy should have done better when he blazed over after Atkins had thwarted a low drive from Michael Wilde, whose shot from a Jamie Milligan corner was later scraped clear by a goal-line block from Matty McGinn.

Fleetwood upped the pressure after the interval, with Adam Warlow firing over from six-yards, before the striker brushed past Earl Davis and produced a pull-back from the by-line, only for Wilde to shoot into the side-netting. There was no let off for Southport, however, in the 72nd minute, as Richard Mercer rose highest to head in a Michael Taylor flick-on after Milligan’s corner had been partially cleared by Davis. It promoted a flurry of Fleetwood pressure. Wilde sprung the Southport defence but dragged his shot wide, before Warlow spurned a header, failing to make the most of another inviting position.

But Southport’s most productive spell began with 12 minutes remaining, Alan Moogan’s low drive looked destined for the back of the net until an intervention from John Hill, the recovering defender, before Kilheeney’s excellent turn and shot brought a finger-tip save from keeper Hurst at full stretch. The comeback was completed in the final minute of injury time and, with the games now coming thick and fast, it ensures Southport’s momentum continues.