Kevan Hurst’s 72nd minute volley took the Lions a step closer to securing National league football for another season while almost certainly condemning Southport to relegation bar a minor miracle.

The home side started strongly and Rory McKeown’s snap shot bounced off the bar early on but despite some good approach play the Sandgrounders were unable to create any clear opportunities and having survived the initial pressure the visitors gradually got into the game.

Jordan Preston’s run was stopped by a timely tackle from Jim Stevenson before the same players shot had Craig King saving at full stretch.

Jake Lawlor also delivered a powerful header just over the bar and James Wesolowski volleyed just the wrong side of the post.

Hurst fired over on the restart and Marcus Williams brought another good save from King.

Stevenson had a glorious chance to put the home side ahead bur nodded over from a good position but the Lions were soon back in control again as Jake Cassidy turned his marker to deliver a low cross which Will Hatfield got on the end of but once again the home side had King to thank for his superb one handed save.

The Lions eventually got ta deserved reward for their efforts as a corner from the right found Simon Walton who’s pass eventually fell to Hurst who volleyed a sweet shot past King into the far corner.

The win moves the Lions two places up the table to fifteenth and six points above the relegation places with five left to play.

Adam Lockwood post match:

Jordan Preston post match:

Team:
26 Maxted
2 Brown
3 Lowe
19 Preston (Boyes 85)s
7 Hurst
6 Lawlor
8 Hatfield
20 Williams
24 Walton
29 Cassidy(Rankine 87)
31 Wesolowski (Purver 81)

Subs
9 Boyes
11 Rankine
22 Purver
34 Asamoah
35 Palmer