Southport manager Neil Danns blamed his side’s lack of basic defending after their 4-2 loss away at Chorley.
The Sandgrounders were level 2-2 at half time, but then had a man sent off and conceded two goals after the break.
Paul Murphy-Worrell’s sending off, for a second yellow card, illustrated their defensive struggles.
Danns told the club’s website: “I can’t defend them when the ball from a throw-in is bouncing around the six-yard box.
“The goals are just two simple goals, defending in the box, stopping your man scoring. The basics when it comes to defending.
“If you defend like that then you are going to be punished, you are going to give yourself a mountain to climb.”
An early goal from Ted Lavelle opened the scoring for Southport at Victory Park, but the Sandgrounders could not keep the advantage.
Danns said: “I am really disappointed and had some choice words to say the least in the dressing room.”
He also pointed to the current injury crisis at the club, and having to field a makeshift XI.
“It’s a tough time but we’ve got to keep going”, he added.
Southport have won just once in the last five games, with three losses and one draw.
They are 20th in National League North, three points ahead of Oxford City and the relegation zone.
(Featured image – Alamy Images under agreed licence)
View Neil Danns’ interview here:
