Southport quickly returned to winning ways, as three goals in the first fifteen minutes sealed victory for the Sandgrounders, securing their place at the top of the table.
Southport took the lead early on as Mark Duffy’s cross from the right wing went into Michael Powell, whose first header was blocked off the line by Stuart Pierpoint, with the rebound falling kindly back to Powell, who had no difficulty slotting the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Southport doubled their lead five minutes later as Chris Lever played the ball forward to Neil Robinson, who chested the ball down to Mark Duffy, who spotted the keeper off his line, lobbing the ball over from just outside the area, with the ball landing into the back of the net.
Stafford just were not in the game, with Southport picking out the spaces and chances, earning a third goal as Matty McGinn got the ball into the box from the left wing to Neil Robinson who hit the ball home at the back post.
Stafford’s best chance of getting a goal back came from a free-kick on the half hour, but that was headed wide by Nick Amos, and Matty McGinn tried his luck from range as he saw his shot go wide five minutes before the break.
Mark Duffy had a blinding volley well saved by Alcock just before the break, after Kilheeney switched play from the left to the right, but Stafford were not able to respond, reduced to chance shots, with Andre Francis seeing his chance well read by McMillan.
Stafford rang the changes at half time creating two early chances to pull themselves back into the game. The first chance came from a corner which landed to Bobby Wilson, but his shot was blocked on the line by McMillan. Moments later, Nathan McDonald’s well-struck free-kick went straight to McMillan.
Steve Daly was added into the game as Neil Robinson fell awkwardly onto his back, and repaid the manager nearly within minutes as Powell fed a sweet ball through, with Daly’s low shot guided onto the post by Alcock, with the ball going out for a corner.
Chances came few and far between for both sides as both sides seemed content on the scoreline. There were a few glimpses for Southport as Robbie Booth whipped a low ball into Steve Daly in front of goal, but he was well managed by the defender, who did enough to put Daly off, clearning the lines for Rangers.
Southport had done enough to silence the home supporters, and hold on to their lead, just happy to keep the ball and frustrate their hosts until the referee finally blew for full-time, with Southport claiming all three points.