Southport beat promotion hopefuls Curzon Ashton 1-0 in a close fought National League North fixture.
Dior Angus scored the only goal of the game which sees Jim Bentley’s side remain in 17th position but lifts them 11 points clear of the relegation places, whilst Curzon drop out of the play-off places into eighth.
It was the away side who started brighter and nearly went ahead after 18 minutes when Isaac Sinclair’s half-volley flashed just past the post.
Curzon threatened again and were somehow denied the opener when a Ben Darby cross was met by the head of Conor Falls, his effort superbly tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Christopher Renshaw.
Despite the flurry of Curzon chances, it was the home side who found themselves in front just before the break when striker Dior Angus pounced on a deflected shot, easily converting from close range.
Renshaw almost gifted Curzon an equaliser after he spilt a Curzon corner on 70 minutes, his blushes spared as Southport managed to clear from the sea of onrushing bodies.
Southport should’ve put the game to bed late on when a floated free kick found the head of an unmarked Aaron Pickles, but his effort was tame and wide of the post.
The home side weathered a myriad of late corners to gain all three points in an impressive home victory that brings Curzon’s run of five unbeaten on the road to an end.
Jim Bentley reacts
Southport manager Jim Bentley said after the match: “We enjoyed tonight because we’ve given the fans something to cheer about, even though it was nerve-racking at times. I thought the goal was superb and then we dug in.
“It was hard to pick a man of the match because everyone from the back right to the top end of the pitch put a shift in.
“I think that’s our 20th game including the cups with only one goal in it so we’re in every game. I’m studying the stats afterwards and I just feel we’ve had no luck, but we have ultimately underachieved this season.
“We’re desperate to do well for these fans and the community, now it’s all about finishing strongly. We want to get as high up in the table and I think we will if we play like we did tonight.”
Next up for Southport is an away fixture against Peterborough Sports.
Featured image taken by Tom Day.
