Shock for Southport as Runcorn hit home

SOUTHPORT: Harrison; Kisby; Spookes; O’Neil, Brooks, Higham; Cooper, Wilson (A), Fisher, Gay, Jones. Sub: Ashworth.

RUNCORN: Rawlinson; Rutter, Murphy; Rylands, Duff, King; Wilson (P), Scott, Whitbread, Lyon, Howard. Sub: Spencer.

Referee: Mr. N. Midgeley (Salford).

Runcorn had the chance of an early breakthrough when they were awarded a free kick just outside the Southport penalty area in the second minute. King flicked the ball sideways to Rutter whose hard-hit shot went wide of the far post.

Southport took a little time to settle against Runcorn’s enthusiastic play in the early stages but soon began to make gaps in the non-League side’s defence.

A free kick from near the halfway line by Fisher was headed down by Brooks and Rawlinson had to throw himself sideways to keep out Alan Wilson’s close-range shot.

The next Southport raid also had Runcorn in trouble. This time a long through-ball from Kisby was headed back by Alan Wilson and Jones got in a fierce shot which Rawlinson did well to turn over the bar.

Runcorn however were by no means out of the picture up front and Fisher had to belt the ball away for a corner to prevent Scott latching on to a neat pass from Rutter.

Lyon, who was with Southport last season, was causing some problems to the home defence and it took the combined efforts of Fisher and Higham to stop him getting in a shot from a pass by Howard.

After his two earlier saves Rawlinson had not been in much difficulty as Southport found it hard to break down a strong defence.

There was some fierce tackling and several players on both sides were spoken to by the referee but none of them had his name taken.

Half-time: Southport 0, Runcorn 0.

BARRY WHITBREAD gave Runcorn the lead after 50 minutes from a free kick by Tony Murphy.

BROOKS equalised for Southport in the 67th minute with a header from a corner by Geoff Gay.

Five minutes after Southport’s equaliser Runcorn goalkeeper Mal. Rawlinson had to go off with an arm injury. Tony Murphy took over and sub. Phil Spencer came on.

O’NEILL gave Southport the lead after 77 minutes from a through ball by Jones.