Non-League: Redditch 1, Southport 1

Sep 24 2007 by Colin Hill, Liverpool Daily Post

SOUTHPORT threw away two points in this Blue Square North Premier match on Saturday as an error at the back prevented them claiming all three points.

Karl Noone had an early chance but United keeper Danny Lewis read the danger well.

Ten minutes before the break, Southport should have taken the lead as a poor clearance from Jai Stanley sliced to Tony Grey in front of goal, but the stunned striker scuffed his shot wide.

The pressure finally paid off 10 minutes after the break as Mark Duffy fought well for a free-kick on the right wing just outside the area. Duffy played the ball short to Liam Blakeman, who was given time and space to pick his spot in the top left-hand corner.

A couple of substitutions from the home side changed the complexion of the game.

With 20 minutes remaining, a ball into the box from the right wing was collected by Richard Whiteside, but he inexplicably dropped the ball into the path of Richard Ball who crashed his shot against the bar with the ball falling kindly to Damian Markman at the back post who prodded home. Noone had a couple of late chances to get the winner for Southport but both his efforts failed to strike the target.

REDDITCH UNITED: Lewis, Stanley, Taylor, Rae, Geohagon, Murphy, Johnson (Hollis 60), Downes, Ball, Softly (Markman 78), Forrinton (Wycombe 78). Subs: Walker, Dickinson.

SOUTHPORT: Whiteside, Watt, Newton, Hocking, Lee, Holland, Duffy, Blackman, Gray (Houghton 61), Powell, Noone. Subs: F Smith, Prout, Beeley, T Smith.

REFEREE: Mr M Dexter (Leicester).

ATT: 383.