A Ciaran Kilheeney hat trick and a rare goal from centre half Earl Davis saw Southport come from behind to beat lowly Stafford Rangers at Haig Avenue this evening.

Port showed their good, bad and ugly side in a match played in pretty dire conditions in front of just 606 supporters.

Stafford were a side with a point to prove after a 7-1 mauling by Droylsden on Saturday and showed spirit, if not good fortune, to take the lead after Kilheeney ‘kneed’ in Barratt’s superb cross.

Wilson’s free kick took a significant deflection off the wall to deceive McMillan before poor defending from Lee allowing Thompson to put Rangers ahead.

Harsh words at half time and the introduction of Bradley Barnes in midfield saw an underperforming Port show renewed character to overpower their visitors – with Kilheeney the star man.

Barratt’s cross from the right found Earl Davis at the far post to equalise with a forceful header before the centre half cannoned a drive off the crossbar after turning in the box.

Killer grabbed his second shortly after flicking on Aley’s long throw in with a neat header before wrapping up the win in added time with a mazy run from the right side of the box ending with the ball prodded cleverly past Evans.