Following the heavy rain before kick off, the pitch proved to be heavy for both sides. Altrincham looked sharper early on creating two good chances to seize the lead. A neat ball through the heart of the Southport defence freed-up Alex Meechan on goal, but he had just strayed off side. Minutes later, a Warren Peyton low free-kick finally got through to Meechan at the back post whose shot slammed against the cross bar, with the return ball aimlessly going out for a goal kick.

Altrincham looked dangerous with set pieces, with Matt Doughty’s deep left wing free-kick going direct to Colin Little on the near post, but his volley on the turn went into the side netting.

Mark Duffy churned out Southport’s first real chance on the quarter hour as he worked space well for himself on the right wing, whipping in a dangerous ball across the goal, but no Port striker had ventured far enough forward. But the danger from Alty remained as, moments later, Chris Lane released a ball through to Colin Little, but his shot across goal went wide.

Southport did well to stifle their hosts for a prolonged period, looking for chances to move forward themselves. Ciaran Kilheeney did well to bring the ball in from the right channel, spotting Ashley Winn free on the edge of the box, but his shot sailed over the bar. We had to wait for 36 minutes for the first corner of the game, with the ball cleared to Matt Doughty, who fired the ball just over the bar from the edge of the box.

Southport were offered a good chance to sneak the lead just before the break as Duffy was fouled on the edge of the box. Alan Moogan’s low free-kick went through the crowded box, but Stuart Coburn did well to get down and push the ball away to safety.

Chris Senior was added into the action for the second half, and he nearly un-did the Southport defence as he darted through the defence onto a long ball, but he got underneath the ball with only McMillan to beat, firing the ball well over the bar.

Southport found themselves a goal up mid-way through the second half as Ciaran Kilheeney put a clever ball through to Steve Daly, who beat the off-side trap before slotting the ball low beyond the advancing Coburn into the back of the net. Within five minutes, Southport were two-up as Ashley Winn did well to work the ball into the box from the right wing, hoisting the ball high into the box, where Mark Duffy headed the ball home at the back post from a difficult angle. He was subsequently substituted.

A third goal was added within minutes as Ashley Winn played the ball out to Robbie Booth who in turn got the ball cleverly into Daly who was fouled in the box, with the assistant on the near side finally raising his flag for a penalty. Ciaran Kilheeney fired the ball low down the middle of the goal, with Coburn diving to his left.

Chris Senior pulled one back for the home team as he was let free down the right wing, and with Tony McMillan committed outside his box, Senior coolly took the ball around the keeper, slotting the ball home as the angle got tight. With Altrincham pressing forward, Southport were able to counter-attack with John Doolan streaming forward, playing a nice ball to the left to Michael Barnes who quickly spotted Daly free in the middle, with the striker adding to his tally easily from close range to secure the victory.