Ex-Sandgrounder Josh Hmami scored against his old club as Halifax Town beat Southport 3-1 in the FA Cup.
Will Harris scored twice to help the Shaymen extend their winning run to six games while Southport have just three wins from 13 this season.
Separated by over 40 league places, National League Halifax showed their supremacy immediately and broke the deadlock with their first attack.
Hmami unleashed an effort that rattled the crossbar and fell fortuitously to number nine Harris who tapped in from close range after just four minutes.
But National League North side Southport replied just five minutes later.
The game was level after Jevon Simms turned in an effort from Paul Murphy-Worrell to cap off an electric first ten minutes.
Halifax displayed their National League quality in the minutes that followed, but not without the hosts having chances of their own.
Hmami hit the woodwork again after spotting Chris Renshaw off his line before ex-Shaymen Jordan Slew forced a top save from Halifax’s goalkeeper Sam Johnson to keep the scores level.
After two close efforts, it was third time lucky for Hmami who got his goal in the 23rd minute. A mazy run and delicate cross from Angelo Cappello was met by the attacker who fired home for the seventh time this season.
A slender one goal lead left the game poised going into the second half, with the next goal being crucial in deciding the tie.
Unfortunately for Southport, it was the West-Yorkshire side that got the goal to double their advantage. A slick corner routine saw Harris power in a header at the back post for his second of the afternoon just five minutes after the restart.
Halifax boss Adam Lakeland described the fixture as a potential “banana peel” before the game, and his side looked to put the game beyond any doubt for the remainder of the second half.
Yet the Sandgrounders showed fight to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, and had a golden chance to reduce the deficit through Sonny Hilton.
After dispossessing the Halifax defence the midfielder delayed for a moment too long before releasing his shot, and saw his effort blocked just in front of goal.
However there was to be no late FA Cup drama, and the visitors stood firm to put their name in the hat for the first round for only the second time in the last four seasons.
