Southport bow out of the FA Cup to Curzon Ashton after a late goal from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts proves to decisive at the Big Help Stadium.

The defeat makes it just one win in eight against The Nash who progress to the 4^th qualifying round of the competition.

It was the away side who started the brightest and, while creating little in the way of chances, had the lion’s share of possession and occupied the ball in the Southport half.

But The Sandgrounders looked dangerous on the break, and registered their first shot on goal after 12 minutes. Luke Burgess broke down the left and found Danny Lloyd who passed  to Jamie Proctor whose effort from 18 yards was held by Bobby Jones.

No less than a minute later the visitors were almost ahead if not for the linesman’s flag.  Stefan Mols managed to round keeper Chris Renshaw and roll the ball into an empty net but couldn’t remain onside and the score remained level.

The Nash were then lucky to finish the half with 11 men on the field. Luke Griffiths dangerously wiped-out Lloyd in the centre of the pitch but was punished with only a yellow card. Shortly after James Spencer forcefully elbowed Jordan Keane in the back of the head but, again, the incident only warranted booking in the eyes of referee Harry Warner.

As the half drew to a close chances became few and far between for both sides. A signature Southport counterattack led to a late chance for Lloyd but his effort from inside the box was straight at Jones who parried away for the last action of the half.

Southport started the second 45 on the front foot and had an early penalty shout dismissed following fullback Sam Minihan getting the better of his man and falling just inside the box.

The second half presented both teams with chances to take the lead early on. Burgess squandered a fantastic chance to open the scoring after his free header from a Jack Stafford cross flashed inches wide of the post.

Calamity almost struck on the hour mark for Keane as his header back towards Renshaw came up short and allowed James Spencer to forge an effort that looped just wide of the left post.

Sustained pressure from the visitors then followed as they pushed for an equaliser.  A flurry of chances followed as Curzon edged closer to the Southport net, but some resolute defending meant the scores remained level into the final quarter of the match.

However, The Nash’s persistence eventually paid off and with less than 10 minutes remaining Isaac Buckley-Ricketts cut in from the right and arrowed an effort into the top left corner on the 82^nd minute.

Despite a late surge, it was too little too late for Southport.  A tame shot from Minihan curled harmlessly over the bar as the game finished 1-0.

The Port are back in action on next Saturday as we welcome Brackley Town in the National League North.

Line Up: Renshaw, Minihan, Stafford (Thomson 63), Quansah (Russ 87), Moore, Keane, Lloyd. Morgan(Carver 70), Proctor, Philliskirk, Burgess(Spooner 77)

Attendance 980

The Southport Brewery Man Of The Match who also receives the Adam Le Roi Trophy chosen by Steve Gilroy and SFC Season Ticket Holders that were in hospitality on Saturday was Tom Moore.

With Rushall winning today our game scheduled for October 12th will have to be rearranged. As it stands there will be no game that day unless a fixture can be rearranged.