Southport 3 v 1 Durham City

Durham came to attack Southport, with the dangerous Steve Richardson continuing where he left off on Saturday as he got past Earl Davis early on, but Tony McMillan stood his ground well as he pushed the shot away. Richardson again caused danger minutes later as his header from David Duke’s cross glanced beyond the post.

Southport’s flow seemed fragmented, with Ashley Winn trying to force the issue just after the half hour mark when he ventured up the field, with his fierce shot from just outside the area well stopped by the knee of Craig Turns, with the rebound going to Robbie Booth, but he was unable to shoot his chance goal-ward. Shaun Gray tried his luck minutes later from a 30-yard free-kick, but this shot went just over the target.
With Liam Watson’s half time words ringing in their ears, Southport upped their game scoring within a minute of the re-start. Robbie Booth delivered a ball in from the right wing, which fell kindly on the head of Steve Daly, who nodded the ball home from the edge of the six yard box.

Southport needed a second goal to provide themselves with a cushion, as the North East side continued to press for an equaliser. However, two goals within ninety seconds virtually killed off the game. Neil Robinson took the ball forward before sneaking the ball through to Steve Daly, who knocked the ball beyond the stranded keeper. Moments later, Robbie Booth fed the ball in from the right wing again into Mark Duffy, who side-kicked the ball home.
Southport needed to be cautious as John Toft fired a fierce shot through a crowded penalty area, with the ball taking a deflection before crashing against the post, and the ball going away for a corner. From the resultant corner going through to Ian Dixon at the back post, who touched the ball into the back of the net.