Michael Powell’s injury time equaliser kept Southport in this season’s FA Cup after league rivals Alfreton looked to have secured a hard-fought win.

Tuesday night’s third qualifying round replay will be all the spicier given an unsavoury scuffle between players from both sides in the tunnel after the final whistle.

Stewards had to break up both sides as insults were exchanged – Alfreton clearly aggrieved at throwing away what seemed to be a nailed-on victory.

But, as happened when the sides drew 1-1 in the Blue Square North in August, Southport fought til the final whistle to snatch a leveller two minutes into injury time.

Midfielder Powell prodded home his second goal of the match from McGinn’s corner to spark euphoric scenes among the 100 travelling fans.

Liam Hearn looked to have won it for the home side fifteen minutes from time, when he capped a flowing Town breakaway by rounding Port keeper McMillan and slotting the ball past Davis on the line.

But the striker will look back on a glorious chance to put the game to bed
shortly after, when his low drive past McMillan cannoned off the post into the arms of the grateful keeper.

Powell was on hand to put the Sandgrounders ahead midway through the first half, tapping in Lever’s free kick which was spilled by Gamble in the Reds’ goal.

Alfreton forward Paul Clayton was a danger throughout, and no more so when he replied for the home side minutes before half time.

Howell took full advantage of Gamble’s long clearance to run down the right before crossing to Hearn, whose goalbound shot ricocheted off Lever straight into the striker’s path.

Alfreton were the better side from that point with Clayton unlucky not to win a penalty after appearing to be pushed in the air by Davis.

McMillan denied Law and Clayton before Hearn’s goal and while Gamble produced a stunning save to tip round Daly’s six yard header, Port looked
set to run out of time in search of an equaliser.

But as four minutes of injury time was annouced Port won a series of four
corners, with the latter being converted by Powell.

A fifth corner was headed narrowly over by Lever on the stroke of full time – but a win for Southport certainly would have been undeserved.

The replay will be held at Haig Avenue this Tuesday, 7.45pm kick off.