RESOLUTE Southport earned a fourth straight clean sheet in an entertaining stalemate at Forest Green Rovers.

Six games into their return to non-league’s top flight, the Sandgrounders have quickly emerged as a tough nut to crack and currently posses the division’s meanest defence having conceded just four times.

Extending their unbeaten run to five matches at the New Lawn on Saturday, Port moved onto 11 points for the season but required goalkeeper Tony McMillan to be in commanding form to prevent Forest Green’s second half pressure telling.

Port’s defence, in particular Earl Davis, also put in a hugely brave performance to stem the tide after a first period which Southport controlled for large parts.

Matty McGinn stung the palms of home keeper James Bittner early on before Liam Blakeman volleyed just over as Port, playing transfer-listed Chris Simm as the lone frontman with three first choice strikers unavailable, dominated the early phases.

However a lapse in concentration allowed Reece Styche to find space in the Yellows’ area but Davis reacted with a last ditch tackle as the Rovers striker prepared to pull the trigger.

McMillan had to be alert to smother the advances of Mike Fowler soon after as the home side emerged from their slumber.

Davis then produced a vital goal line block from Yan Klukowski after McMillan had fumbled a cross and was stranded before the goalkeeper made amends with a solid block from Ben Gill’s header.

But Southport weathered the storm and finished the half the stronger with Blakeman’s expert volley on the turn bringing the best out of Bittner who palmed the effort onto the bar.

After the break, Liam Watson’s men lost their precision with the ball which allowed the home side the dictate play and come close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions.

Captain Luke Jones lashed over from close range before Styche fired straight at McMillan when well placed in the area.

Appeals for handball in the area against Southport’s Michael Powell and skipper Adam Flynn were waved away by the referee before McMillan saved once more from substitute Lee Smith to ensure his side hung on for a deserved point