Southport 1 Squires Gate 1 (Southport Win 4-3 On Pens)

Southport progressed on penalties after a game with very few major chances went the distance on a cold Tuesday evening at Haig Avenue.

The first 10 minutes lacked action as both sides were trying to find their feet in the game but Port took the lead in the 16th minute after a Walton cross got parried out by the keeper and landed straight at Niall Watson’s feet who tapped home to take the lead.

The lead was short lived however as seemingly straight from kick off Cliffe found a yard of space around 20 yards out and fired an effort which sailed into the corner.

There were plenty of chances for the home side to regain the lead but they just lacked the final finish required to put the chances away. The first half finished 1-1 with neither side really showing conviction in front of goal.

Southport started the second half positively with a lot of pressure on the visitors defence but the only noticeable chance came in the 53rd minute when Hmami found room for a shot but his low effort was dragged wide.

Squires Gate seemed to be through on goal in the 68th minute after a long ball found Theo Ball but Mason came and swept away the danger keeping the game level going into a tight final 20 minutes.

The game ended with Southport pressing as they had all noight but to little effect and it had to be settled by penalties.

Cam Mason was the hero, scoring and saving a pen which left Jack Doyle to win it with a calm finish into the corner and Southport progressed into the next round.

Line-ups:

Southport: Mason, J.Doyle, C.Doyle©, Evans, Munro, Archer, F.Heath, Walton, C.Heath, Hmami, Watson

Subs: McMillan, Oliver, Quansah, Bainbridge, Carberry

Squires Gate: Pennington, Hughes, Webster, Gray, Welsh, Westwood ©, Riley, C.Webster, Ball, Cliffe, Moore

Subs: Armstrong, Chambers, Bartram-Conway, Hesford, Mekkoui-Abouzaid

Attendance: 159

Media Man of the match: Finlay Heath